Tracks
Residents in our two, distinct tracks complete the same rotations for 22 months of residency. Our graduates are prepared to practice in a variety of settings, regardless of their training track.University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
We make the kind of family physician you want to be.
University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
We make the kind of family physician you want to be.
At the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, we don’t train just one kind of family doctor. We believe that our diversity in thought, people, and experiences will make us better able to meet the health needs of future generations. We offer two unique training tracks where faculty and residents learn from and with each other. Through our intentional recruitment process, we welcome residents from across the country and strive to support their success in clinical practice, academic leadership, community advocacy, and lifelong learning. In an inclusive and welcoming environment, develop well-rounded family doctors who are on the cutting edge of medicine and committed to building healthy communities.
Our Program
With two distinct tracks to choose from, a broad curriculum, and deep investment in our communities, we are specially equipped to meet the individual and unique interests of our residents while offering the strength and support of a single, unified residency program.
[Click one the tiles below to learn more.]
Curriculum
We believe that training residents to be leaders of medical communities requires a bold reimagining of both the structure and content ofCommunity
Our residents and attendings serve the people of Denver, Aurora, and surrounding suburbs in our clinics and hospitals. We also call these diverse and vibrant communities home. A Message from the Program Director
Corey Lyon, DO, FAAFP: "As a family physician educator for over 15 years, working and growing at the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency Program is a dream come true for me. This is an amazing program, in an outstanding department, with the best residents and faculty the nation has to offer. The exciting thing about this program is that we do so much more than provide medical training to the family physicians of the future. With our combination of an academic medical center and safety net hospital training sites, the growth opportunities for our learners are endless..."
Our People
Nice to meet you! We invite you to get to know the residents, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency.
Faculty and Staff
Our residency program benefits from the leadership of innovative and nationally recognized faculty. While they have broad interests and academic pursuits, they are drawn together by the desire to do the best possible job of educating the next generation of family physicians. Our faculty members are here not only to provide a good education but to support and nurture our residents though the challenges of becoming excellent family physicians. And our staff are the foundational support for all of the incredible work we are able to do.
Corey Lyon, DO, FAAFP
Program Director
Education: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health, to include women’s health procedures and OB care. Also enjoys chronic disease management and practicing evidence based preventive care. Enjoys teaching physician leadership and clinical practice transformation to train physician leaders and innovators of the future. Also loves training residents in full-scope family medicine to include procedures and evidence-based medicine.
Personal Interests: When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters. When not hanging out with his daughters, he enjoys golf, going to Colorado State University football games and trying not to be in last place in the residency fantasy football league.
Faculty Profile
Director of Inpatient Family Medicine
Education: University of Colorado, Denver, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry minor Biochemistry. University of Colorado, Denver, Medical Doctor.
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Medical Areas of Interest: Hospitalist Medicine, Emergency resources for under and non-insured. Complex affordable care for homeless and patients with addiction.
Jessica Bull, MD
Medical Director, Denver Health's Lowry Family Health Center
Education: University of Cincinnati SOM, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency-Denver Health Track
Attending Site: Denver Health
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Substance use treatment, refugee and immigrant health, women’s health and family planning, underserved medicine, LGBT health.
Personal Interests: Family, urban homesteading, singing with my daughters, hiking, plant-based diets and political activism
Kathy Cebuhar, MA, LPC
Director of Education and Program Development
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Family Studies, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; Master of Arts, Counseling and Human Services, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Areas of Interest: Practice Facilitation, Practice Facilitator Coaching and Mentorship, Practice Transformation, Quality Improvement, Process Improvement, Substance use disorder and OB/postnatal care integration, Behavioral health integration in primary care
Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants and breweries, time in the mountains with family and friends, camping, reading, golf, and hiking
Allison Lindbloom, MD
Denver Health Inpatient Director: Adult Family Medicine Services
Education: Stanford University, BA; Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, MD; University of Colorado - Denver Health Track
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Maternal and child health, immigrant and refugee health, family planning, healthcare for the underserved.
Personal Interests: Hiking with my dog, backcountry skiing, gravel biking
Medical Director, A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Education: New York University (BA); University of Cincinnati SOM (MD); University of Cincinnati Family Medicine ResidencyAttending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: AF Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: AF Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Lifestyle medicine, women's healthcare and related procedures (including contraceptive care), global health, physician well-being
Personal Interests: Spending time with my family, hiking, snowboarding, scuba diving, Peloton-ing, traveling, and exploring all the great adventures Colorado has to offer!
Associate Program Director, Denver Health Track
Education: The Johns Hopkins University (B.A.), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (MD), The University of Colorado School of Public Health (MPH)
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center & Denver Health Hospital
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: SUD treatment in the primary care setting, Reproductive health justice, Health inequities & Physician advocacy, Evidence Based Medicine, Full spectrum family medicine
Personal Interests: When not at work, she loves spending time with her husband, dog children (a greyhound and a wirehaired pointing griffon) and human child. She collects cookbooks and reads them cover to cover as part of her cookbook club when she isn’t snowboarding or working on new hobbies (last year was woodworking, this year is archery). She does not participate in the residency fantasy football league because she is a loyal Houston Texans fan and building a league of only their players tends to not end well.
Alex Reed, PsyD, MPH
Director of Behavioral Health Education
Education: Illinois School of Professional Psychology Chicago, PsyD; University of Massachusetts Medical School: Fellowship in Primary Care Psychology; University of Kansas, MPH
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Behavioral health education in primary care, integrated behavioral health, physician resilience, mindfulness, narrative medicine, medical improv, sports psychology.
Personal Interests: Mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, golf, tennis, fly fishing, camping, cooking and doing all these activities with my family
Emily Spencer, MD
Associate Program Director
Education: University of Florida College of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: General primary care including prevention of and management of chronic disease; women’s health including women’s health procedures and contraception; prenatal care and obstetrics; newborn and pediatric care; office- and hospital-based procedures; medical student and resident medical education.
Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, cooking, dancing, hiking, and watching Gator football
Education: University of Colorado-Boulder, BA; University of Colorado School of Medicine, MD; Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: General primary care, women’s health and contraception, health disparities, community and global health
Personal Interests: Biking, skiing, hiking, spending time with my family, cooking/baking, and crocheting
Heather Bleacher, MD, MPH
Director of Population Health, Advocacy, and Community Engagement Curriculum, Director of Health Equity for University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine Clinical Affairs
Education: Princeton University, BA; Tufts University School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Colorado School of Public Health, MPH
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: General primary care, women’s health and contraception, health disparities, social determinants of health, LGBTQI care, community health, community engagement, public health/primary care integration.
Personal Interests: Running, spending time with my growing family, cooking, hiking and camping
Daniel J. Burke, MD
Associate Vice Chair for Educational Program Development
Education: University of Massachusetts Medical School; University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine and State University of New York Department of Family Medicine, Residency.
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital.
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine.
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine.
Medical Areas of Interest: Graduate medical education, practice management, quality improvement.
Personal Interests: Home remodeling
Associate Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs
Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst, MS, MA; University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; Fellowship in Practice Transformation – University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Practice and health systems transformation, patient and family engagement, improving the quality of care for patients and populations with complex needs, women’s health, family medicine residency education.
Personal Interests: Figuring out how to be a doctor-mom(still a work in progress), hiking/biking/skiing, DIY’ing and knitting in meetings
Molly Hoss, MD
Education: Kansas State University, BS; University of Kansas School of Medicine, MD; John Peter Smith Family Medicine Residency, John Peter Smith Maternal Child Health Fellowship
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: UCHealth Family Medicine - Westminster
Medical Areas of Interest: General primary care, wilderness medicine, training residents in full-scope family medicine procedures, women’s health including procedures, all OB care and contraception, and taking care of newborns and pediatric patients.
Personal Interests: Running, hiking, bicycling, backpacking, rock climbing, dance, yoga, reading, and experimenting with cooking
Morteza Khodaee, MD, MPH
Education: Tehran Islamic Azad University, Medical School; University of Michigan, Master of Public Health, Family Medicine Residency, and Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, Denver Health Winter Park Medical Center
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Sports medicine and medical education.
Personal Interests: Soccer, bicycling, mountain hiking, and nature photography
Shannon Langner, MD
Education: University of Kansas, BA; University of Kansas School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health, including GYN procedures and obstetrics; mother/baby, newborn and pediatric care; patient education and practicing evidence-based preventive care. Teaches and supervises residents in practicing full scope Family Medicine.
Personal Interests: When not at work, enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. Active in the community as a member of SheEO, an organization that supports women entrepreneurs in their ventures. Volunteers at her children’s schools, and takes an active role in their education. She also is passionate about traveling, health, fitness, and overall well-being.
Kyle Leggott, MD
Education: Tufts University, BS; University of New Mexico School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: Lone Tree Primary Care
Medical Areas of Interest: Dr. Leggott enjoys practicing broad spectrum family medicine including men’s health and vasectomies, pediatrics and newborn care, chronic disease management, geriatrics, and adult inpatient medicine. He believes that everyone deserves good, high quality, affordable healthcare. He believes in whole person health and treating people as more than the sum of their illnesses.
Personal Interests: Reading, lifting weights, dungeons & dragons, rescue dogs
Naomi Malam, MD, MSPH
Director of Electives
Education: Tulane University, BSPH, MSPH; University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; Faculty Development fellowship in Women’s Health and Medical Education- University of Colorado
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Maternity/obstetric care in the inpatient and outpatient setting, obstetrics training for family medicine residents, hospital medicine, gender-affirming hormone therapy and transgender care, medical education, didactics, and curriculum development.
Personal Interests: Outside of work, Naomi spends her time exploring new cookbooks and cooking elaborate food, going for walks, reading, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
Linda Montgomery, MD
Vice Chair, Education and Training, University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine
Education: Harvard University, BA; Cornell University, MA; University of Florida, MD
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Dr. Montgomery enjoys caring for patients of all ages and has special interests in women’s health and chronic disease management. She also has strong involvement in residency curricular innovation and evidence-based medicine.
Personal Interests: When not in clinic, she can often be seen running or hiking with her husband, three children, and a mutt.
Melissa Neuman, MD
Assistant Director, Inpatient Family Medicine Service; Acting Internship Director, Inpatient Family Medicine Service
Education: University of Michigan, BS; Wayne State University School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; Faculty Development Fellowship in Women’s Health- University of Colorado
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Maternal and child health with particular interest in adapting the midwifery model of care to family medicine, community medicine and access to care (primarily in the women’s health space), hospital medicine, procedures (ambulatory and inpatient), integrative medicine and its application in the hospital birth setting, maternity care training for residents.
Cleveland Piggott, MD, MPH
Vice Chair for Departmental Engagement, University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine
Education: University of Georgia, BS; University of North Carolina School of Medicine, MD, MPH; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Medical student education, achieving the quadruple aim, behavioral health integration, advocacy, leadership development, residency education, and social justice.
Personal Interests: Ballroom dancing, hiking, snowshoeing, theatre, spending time with family, and Georgia Bulldogs football!
Cristina Rabaza, MD
Education: University of Florida, BA; University of Florida College of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; Surgical Obstetrics Fellowship- Advent Health Hospital
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s Health, Diversity, and Inclusion in medicine.
Personal Interests: Mountain biking, cooking
Jack Spittler, MD
Program Director University of Colorado Sports Medicine Fellowship
Education: University of Notre Dame, undergraduate; Georgetown University School of Medicine, MD
Attending Site: University of Colorado Hospital
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, AOP Orthopedics Clinic
Medical Areas of Interest: Primary care sports medicine; also interested in preventative health, fitness, and adolescent medicine. Serves as the medical director for Aurora Public Schools Athletics and is a team physician for Rangeview High School, the University of Denver, Colorado Avalanche, and Denver Nuggets. Works throughout the year at the Winter Park Ski Clinic (DH East Grand Community Clinic).
Personal Interests: When not at work, enjoys spending time with his wife (Jen), son (Luke), and dog (Paige). Personal interests mainly revolve around sports. Enjoys playing golf, volleyball, hiking, and skiing and watching college/pro sports – Go Irish!
Affiliate Faculty
Brandy Deffenbacher, MD
Associate Professor
A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Jessica Devitt, MD
Associate Professor
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Joshua Gilens, MD
Senior Instructor
UCHealth Family Medicine – Westminster
Miriam Lindrooth, MD
Senior Instructor
A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Kari Mader, MD
Assistant Professor
A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Wendy Madigoski, MD
Associate Clinical Professor
A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Rebecca Mullen, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
UCHealth Family Medicine - Westminster
Melissa Beagle, MD, MPH
Education: University of California, Davis, BS; Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, MD; University of New Mexico, MPH; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Preceptor Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: La Casa Quigg Newton Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Maternal-child health, obstetrics, procedures, public and community health.
Personal Interests: Family and friends, cooking, gardening, photography, reading, travel
Michael J. Benavidez, MD
Education: University of Notre Dame; St. Louis University School of Medicine, Medical School
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Family medicine, diabetes and refugee health.
Personal Interests: Spending time with family, college football (especially Notre Dame), traveling, theme parks
Lauren Bull, MD
Education: University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; University of Colorado, Global Health Fellowship
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Westwood Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Global health, refugee/immigrant health, women’s health/OB, underserved medicine, LGBTQ health, and transgender care.
Personal Interests: Hiking, skiing, podcasts, reading, traveling, and rock climbing
Stephanie B. Gold, MD
Education: University of Virginia School of Medicine; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency; Fellowship in Health Policy, Eugene S. Farley, Jr. Health Policy Center
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Health policy, particularly related to integrated behavioral health and primary care, payment reform, practice transformation; health behavior change, underserved medicine.
Personal Interests: Yoga, hiking, skiing, reading science fiction/fantasy
Harriet Huang, MD
Education: Stanford University, BS; University of Michigan Medical School, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency – Denver Health Track
Attending Site: Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Westwood Family Health Center, Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Refugee and immigrant health, LGBTQ health, family planning, addiction medicine.
Personal Interests: Camping, travel, cooking, trying new restaurants, dinosaurs
Elizabeth Kvach, MD
Education: University of Oklahoma, BA, Women’s Studies; University of York, MA, Post-War Recovery Studies; Yale School of Medicine, MD; University of Wisconsin- Madison Family Medicine Residency, Chief Resident; St. Joseph Family Medicine Program, Maternity Care Fellowship
Attending Site: Denver Health Hospital
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Women’s health and family planning; LGBT+ health; refugee health; substance use treatment; UCFMR Social Justice Work Group.
Personal Interests: Traveling (and eating while traveling), camping, hiking and snowshoeing with my dogs, cooking, working in my vegetable garden, organizing a feminist book club and political engagement
Charity Lehn, MD
Education: Saint Louis University School of Medicine (undergraduate degree and medical school), Northwestern Family Medicine Residency – Humboldt Park
Attending Site: Denver Health
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Westwood Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Maternal child health, underserved care, immigrant health, medical education, procedures, global health.
Personal Interests: Running, hiking, backpacking, skiing, cooking and eating
John Weeks, MD
Education: Undergrad: College of William and Mary; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Attending Site: Denver Health Lowry, Denver Health Pena
Precepting Site: Denver Health Lowry, Fort Morgan Salud
Clinic Site: Denver Health Lowry
Medical Areas of Interest: Minor procedures, emergency medicine, bedside ultrasound, refugee/global medicine
Personal Interests: Cycling, camping, ski/snowboard
Daniel White, MD
Education: University of Tennessee Knoxville, BA in Philosophy; University of North Carolina School of Medicine, MD; University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency-Denver Health Track
Attending Site: Lowry Family Health Center, Denver Health Medical Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Inpatient family medicine, refugee and immigrant health, tropical medicine, viral hepatitis, addiction medicine.
Personal Interests: Hiking and outdoor endeavors, small home improvement projects, zymurgy, LOTR and mostly my family (I have a toddler and an infant, so really no time for any of the other interests outside of work)
Affiliate Faculty
Morris Askenazi, MD
Sr. Instructor
La Casa Quigg Newton Family Health Center – Medical Director
Stephanie Augustine, MD
Sr. Instructor
Montbello Family Health Center
Kurt Cook, MD, MS
Associate Professor
Westwood Family Health Center
Diedre Dietz, MD
Park Hill Family Health Center – Medical Director
Benjamin Feijoo, MD
Assistant Professor
Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center
Daniel Holligan, MD
Assistant Professor
Montbello Family Health Center
Joedy Hulings, MD
Sr. Instructor
Park Hill Family Health Center
Robert Keeley, MD
Primary Care Center
Amber Koch-Laking, MD
Assistant Professor
Westwood Family Health Center – Medical Director
Daniel Kortsch, MD
Associate Professor
Lowry Family Health Center
Lucy Loomis, MD
Mia Lynch, MD
Instructor
Primary Care Center
Michelle Mang, MD
Sr. Instructor
Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center
Kelly McMullen, MD
Assistant Professor
Lowry Family Health Center
Josina O’Connell, MD
Assistant Professor
Montbello Family Health Center
George Olsen, MD
Assistant Professor
Park Hill Family Health Center
Shalvi Patel, MD
Instructor
La Casa Quigg Newton Family Health Center
Lara Penny, MD
Assistant Professor
Montbello Family Health Center
Susana Peralta, DO, BA
Assistant Professor
Montbello Family Health Center
Haley Ringwood, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Westside Pediatric/Teen Clinic
Roberto Silva, MD
Assistant Professor
Park Hill Family Health Center
Alicia Wong, MD, MA, MPH
Assistant Professor
Primary Care Center
Jessica Wongward, DO
Assistant Professor
Federico F. Pena Southwest Family Health Center
Moon Yoon, MD
Assistant Professor
La Casa Quigg Newton Family Health Center
Rebekkah Zak, DO
Assistant Professor
La Casa Quigg Newton Family Health Center
Jessica Zha, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor
Lowry Family Health Center
Shandra Brown Levey, PhD
Education: Mercyhurst College, Honors Scholar, Psychology and Art Therapy; Eastern Virginia Medical School, MS, Art Therapy; Illinois Institute of Technology, PhD, Clinical Psychology
Medical Areas of Interest: Primary care psychology, cognitive vulnerability to depression, health behavior change, instrument validation.
Personal Interests: Living in Westminster, Colorado with her husband and daughter, she enjoys snowboarding, hiking, scuba diving, volunteering, and traveling.
Samantha Pelican Monson, PsyD
Education: University of Denver, PsyD
Attending Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Precepting Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: Lowry Family Health Center
Medical Areas of Interest: Refugee mental health, empathic communication in the physician-patient relationship, motivational interviewing.
Personal Interests: International travel, water skiing, winter hut trips, and raising my twins
Alex Reed, PsyD, MPH
Director of Behavioral Health Education
Education: Illinois School of Professional Psychology Chicago, PsyD; University of Massachusetts Medical School: Fellowship in Primary Care Psychology; University of Kansas, MPH.
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, Lowry Family Health Center
Clinic Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Behavioral health education in primary care, integrated behavioral health, physician resilience, mindfulness, narrative medicine, medical improv, sports psychology.
Personal Interests: Mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, golf, tennis, fly fishing, camping, cooking and doing all these activities with my family
Joanna Stratton, PhD
Education: University of Chicago, MA; University of Denver, PhD, Counseling Psychology
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Integrated health care, couples counseling, research methods, program evaluation, gender issues, graduate teaching and training.
Personal Interests: Running and skiing
J. Ben Hill, PharmD, BCACP
Education: West Virginia University, PharmD; Boulder Community Health, PGY1 Acute Care; University of Colorado, PGY2 Ambulatory Care/Family Medicine
Precepting Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Clinical Sites: A.F. Williams, Centennial, Depot Hill, Landmark, and Park Meadows Family Medicine Clinics
Medical Areas of Interest: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Population Health.
Personal Interests: Rock climbing, hiking, and snowboarding
Education: SUNY at Buffalo, BS in Pharmacy; SUNY at Buffalo, PharmD; University of Illinois / University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Ambulatory Care Fellowship
Precepting/Clinical Site: A.F. Williams Family Medicine
Medical Areas of Interest: Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy.
Personal Interests: Mountain biking, NFL football (die hard Buffalo Bills fan)
Chloe Finke, C-TAGME
Lead Residency Coordinator
Location: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, 3055 Roslyn Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80238
Phone: (720) 553-2696
Email:[email protected]
Chloe Finke is our Residency Coordinator. A native of Nebraska, Chloe earned a bachelor’s in Biology and Psychology from the University of Denver. She has worked with the residency for 5 years before transiting to the University in 2022. Chloe leads recruitment, onboarding of new residents, ensures we are meeting requirements of our multiple governing bodies and is the main contact for the residents in the UH track. She works in partnership with other coordinators and administrative assistants to ensure the residency is running smoothly. When not working, Chloe enjoys spending time with her partner and two gold retrievers, working on house projects, baking, and experiencing Denver’s food scene.
Neal Heilman, C-TAGME
Residency Program Coordinator
Location: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, 3055 Roslyn Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80238
Phone: (720) 773-0936
Email:[email protected]
Neal Heilman is one of three Residency Program Coordinators with the CU Family Medicine Residency. She earned her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Methodist University and plays a key role in supporting the residency program by managing evaluations, assisting with longitudinal curricula, and managing day-to-day operations. Originally from Versailles, KY, Neal moved to Colorado from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she worked in the Department of Medical Education at Womack Army Medical Center for over six years. Outside of work, Neal enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and cheering on University of Kentucky football — Go Big Blue!
Felicia Kinsey, MBA
Program Assistant
Location: A.F. Williams Family Medicine, 3055 Roslyn Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80238
Phone: (720) 553-2700
Email:[email protected]
Felicia Kinsey is our residency program assistant. Felicia manages the residency budget and serves as the course coordinator for Family Medicine out-patient and inpatient rotations for medical students. She is in charge of all event planning, coordinates meetings for the residency, and handles a host of other administrative duties. Felicia earned her bachelor’s and master’s in Business Administration from Colorado State University-Pueblo before moving to Denver and working as a Patient Access Representative at our A.F. Williams clinic for five years. When not working, Felicia enjoys spending time with her family, playing soccer, and baking.
Britney Wolf
Program Coordinator
Location: Denver Health-Lowry Family Medicine, 1001 N Yosemite St Denver, CO 80230
Phone: 303-602-4226
Email: [email protected]
Britney is one of three of our Residency Program Coordinators. Britney supports the residency by being the point of contact for Denver Health rotations, elective admin support, creating resident continuity and other specialty schedules, rotation evaluation support all while assisting with many day to day tasks needed for the program. Britney supported the residents as a medical assistant/referral specialist at our AF Williams Family Medicine clinic for almost 17 years before transitioning to the Program Coordinator role. When not working, Britney enjoys spending time with her family, attending her daughter’s sporting events, and reading.
Residents
Our residents come from medical schools across the United States. They forge close relationships with each other and with the faculty and staff, becoming a central part of our residency community. While we certainly work hard together and value our roles as health professionals, we also take time to enjoy each other’s company, laugh, and to get know and appreciate each other as people.
Sarah Beaverson, MD
University Health Track
Education: BS, Duke University; MD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Hometown: Villanova, PA
Hi everyone! I grew up in a suburb outside of Philadelphia and made my way south to attend college at Duke University. In college, I majored in Global Health and Biology where I developed an interest in health inequalities and community health research. After college, I worked on community health outreach and educational projects in the Durham, NC community at the Duke University Division of Community Health. I realized all the physicians and researchers I was working with were Family Medicine docs and knew this must be the specialty for me!
In medical school, I had the privilege of being accepted into the Family Medicine Scholar Training Admission Tract (fmSTAT) program, a program focused on developing Family Medicine values in students committed to the field of Family Medicine. While in medical school, I enjoyed being a part of my school’s Family Medicine interest group, health equity and anti-racism club, and the Students Fighting Human Trafficking organization.
I am thrilled to join the UCFMR community and start a new chapter in Denver, CO! I was drawn to the program because of the remarkably talented and thoughtful residents and faculty I met during my interviews, the program’s commitment to advancing community engagement and health equity, and the opportunity to pursue my interests in addiction medicine, medical education, and maternal/reproductive health.
Outside of medicine, I love to go on long runs and walk with my dog and fiancé around Denver’s many parks, listen to podcasts, and read.
Eva Bernstein, MD
University Health Track
Education: BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison; MD, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Hometown: Elkins Park, PA
Hello! I’m Eva (she/her) and I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia (Go birds!!). I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I studied Human Development and Family Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, and became a big fan of cheese curds. After college I moved to Vancouver, Canada and worked as a research coordinator for an organization focused on collaboration between patients, providers, and policy makers. This sparked a passion for shared decision making and community advocacy that I knew I would want to foster as a future physician.
I returned to Philadelphia to attend Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. I had the opportunity to work with women and children experiencing homelessness which deepened my understanding of the holes in our healthcare system and the need for holistic primary care. Family Medicine became an easy choice for me as I loved bits and pieces of every specialty and more than anything wanted the ability to work with patients throughout their lifetime. I am thrilled to be continuing my training at UCFMR, because it puts community at its core; both in who it serves and how people treat one another. I’m looking forward to learning from my co-residents and mentors and pursuing my interests in medical education, adolescent health, and pre/postpartum care.
When I’m not working you can probably find me trying a new restaurant with my husband or on a hike excited to eat a great homemade sandwich at the summit.
Madeline Dang, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BSPH, Tulane University; MPH, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; MD, Medical College of Wisconsin
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Hi ya! I am so excited and grateful to be joining the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine. I am originally from Kansas City, MO, but I have been a little bit of everywhere to help me get to this point. I did my undergraduate and Masters in New Orleans, then moved to Seattle for a few years, where I worked as a patient care coordinator and research coordinator, and in 2019, I began medical school in Milwaukee. Throughout my educational, volunteering, work, research and life experiences, I realized I loved working with all age ranges and wanted to form trusting, long-term relationships with my patients, which led me to Family Medicine. I especially have a passion for reproductive health and justice, as well as LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care. My research in medical school focused predominantly on transgender individuals and their access, uptake, and persistence in taking pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, which reaffirmed my dedication to working with patients who need preventative medicine but may not have the best access or support. I am dedicated to working with underserved patients and providing care to those who need it most. I hope to do public health research throughout my clinical career to help identify interventions that can help patients more at risk for negative health outcomes. I cannot express how excited I am to be part of the University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine. Here, I finally get to make my dreams come true!
Outside of the hospital and clinic, I love baking, running, playing ridiculous board games with my husband, and knitting pieces for my friends and family.
Carlos Estevez-Celi, DO
Denver Health Track
Education: BA, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; DO, A.T. Stills University – Kirksville College of Medicine
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hey, there! I have had the pleasure of living all over the country. I grew up in Florida before joining the army after high school and being sent all over before landing in Colorado Springs. I spent ten years there serving as a combat medic and critical care flight paramedic with two tours to Afghanistan. Then, I went to the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, majoring in Philosophy. I love discussing existentialism, ethics, and practical applications of philosophical concepts. I completed one year of my MPH in epidemiology here at Anschutz prior to being accepted to med school. That’s where my passions and interests in public health and public health policy began. I attended ATSU-KCOM, completing didactic years in Kirksville, MO, and my clinical years in Phoenix, AZ. I was fortunate to be able to do one of my Family Medicine rotations in a medically underserved community, introducing me to the wildly diverse practice of full-spectrum Family Medicine. During medical school, I did research in AI-assisted diagnostic algorithms for the earlier detection of pancreatic cancer. It has sparked an interest in the application of AI in clinical care. I am passionate about carrying out whole-person health to individuals and applying the same mantra to population health. I am ecstatic to be on the DH track tending to an extremely diverse patient population while having University support to pursue health care advocacy.
Outside of medicine I love spending time with my daughter and wife. I enjoy rock climbing, mountain biking, weight-lifting, and touring the craft beer scene in Denver!
Baillie Frizell-Thomas, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, Iowa State University; MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Hometown: Maple Grove, MN
Hello everyone! As a true Midwesterner, I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis before heading to Iowa State to study Psychology. During my time in college, I had the opportunity to be a medical scribe at a FQHC, where I was first exposed to the complex socio-economic and medical conditions underrepresented populations faced in their day to day lives. When I headed to medical school in Madison, WI, I quickly became connected with our student-run free clinics that served a primary Spanish-speaking population. Furthermore, I was heavily involved with community-based approaches to addressing the Black maternal and infant mortality crisis occurring in our nation and worked to develop the “Today Not Tomorrow Pregnancy and Infant Support Program.” I was extremely drawn to Family Medicine as a way to build longitudinal relationships with patients and their families in addition to addressing social determinants of health and health inequities, specifically in underserved patient populations. I am very passionate about DEI initiatives, mentorship for URM students, medical education and community engagement/advocacy and I look forward to incorporating these passions into my future career. I am excited to be starting this new adventure in Denver with the UCFMR program, working with a diverse group of residents and faculty and continuing to serve the community & addressing systemic problems that plague our healthcare system. In my free time, I enjoy long distance running/hiking, watching soccer with my husband, finding new recipes/charcuterie board ideas on Pinterest, and traveling to new countries.
Christopher Higginson, MD, MPH
Denver Health Track
Education: BA, Harvard College; MD, MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Hi y’all! My name is Chris – nice to meet you. I’m a New Orleanian, born and raised. Hopefully the spirit of the Big Easy is still with me – certainly it is in weekly red beans and rice dinner, Mardi Gras celebrations, and a giddy enthusiasm to sit on the porch on late summer evenings.
I left home for college, where I loved courses in English (mostly studying poetry and Civil War rhetoric), health policy, education, and urban/community health. I also adored lots of time playing soccer and Spikeball and learning to ski (on the East Coast – NH/VT – gasp!), all of which I still try to find time for.
In medical school, I was immediately drawn to Family Medicine. The longitudinal relationships, the expansive and inclusive perspective of full-scope practice, and the deep crossovers with public health were big draws. Working at UNC’s free student-run health clinic, on a medical humanities project related to end-of-life care, and on an MPH-thesis related to primary care workforce capacity in North Carolina were some of my most meaningful commitments.
I’m thrilled to be returning to Denver to join the UCFMR team! There’s so much that excites me about the program, both internally (my co-residents are incredible) and externally (community engagement and roots, advocacy, and the DH FQHC clinic setting). Please reach out anytime – I’m looking forward to meeting everyone!
Jordan McGee, DO
University Health Track
Education: BS, University of Florida; DO, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: Port Charlotte, FL
Hi everyone! I'm Jordan, originally from Florida but now proud to call west of the Rockies home for the past 7 years now. I earned my undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and Biology from the University of Florida, where my passion for global health and working with underserved communities first took root. As primary care doctors, we are privy to some of the daily barriers to health and wellness our patients face. I believe we can play a unique role in helping to mitigate these disparities, both at the individual level and on a broader scale.
Medical school first brought me to Colorado in 2019, where I attended Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. While here, I fell in love with Colorado as I had the opportunity to balance learning medicine while recharging in nature. I am thrilled to be joining CUFMR to continue my training!
Within Family Medicine, my interests extend to women's health and obstetrics, reproductive health advocacy, and integrative and lifestyle medicine. Beyond medicine, I enjoy hiking, skiing, climbing, practicing yoga, and exploring new places with my partner and our two chocolate lab puppies.
Derek Nguyen, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BA, University of Oklahoma; MD, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Hometowns: Oklahoma City, OK
Hey, y’all! I’m Derek (he/him), and I grew up in Oklahoma City and have been an OU lifer (Boomer Sooner!) up until now. I graduated with a B.A. in International and Area Studies, where I found the perfect balance in learning about people, health, politics, and culture. In medical school, I was an active volunteer at free clinics for the OU Community Health Alliance, a Vietnamese translator for the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps, and served in multiple ambassadorship/mentorship roles. My experiences have culminated in my desire to establish long-term relationships with patients and communities to work to address health inequities.
I have interests in full-scope family practice (I literally want to do everything – outpatient, inpatient, OB, LGBTQIA+ care, reproductive healthcare, etc.) and academic medicine. In particular, I want to address social/structural determinants of health and bridge the gaps to care for immigrant and refugee communities. I felt all of my interests and passions could be fostered here at the University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency.
Catch me spending time with my partner, Abigail, and our two cat children, Bagheera (tortie) and Indie (tabby). Otherwise, I’m playing board games, going to trivia nights, watching/playing sports, and attending/attempting to win more concert tickets. As a new Denver transplant, I’m excited to explore the restaurants, neighborhoods, and learn more about my new community!
Anna Pisac, MD
University Health Track
Education: BA, Wellesley College; MS, Arizona State University; MD, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine – Arizona
Hometown: Snohomish, WA
Hello all! I grew up in a small farm town in the Pacific Northwest where, at times, it felt like my neighbors were better acquainted with our local large animal vets than our local physicians. Leaving behind the corn fields and cattle, I moved across the country to study Chemistry & Psychology at Wellesley College, where I played varsity softball and set records for most home runs hit and most ankles sprained.
After graduation, I traded my jersey for a lab coat and managed a research team at a company investigating microbiome-oriented therapies for rare conditions like hepatic encephalopathy and urea cycle disorders. While there, I worked extensively with a local hospice organization and grew to appreciate how excellent physicians could both drive medicine forward through research as well as bring comfort, joy, and safety to patients in and out of the clinic.
I built upon these values in medical school where I worked with local student athletes in coaching and medical capacities, led our student-run journal club, and served as a delegate with the Arizona Medical Association to help advocate for state-wide policy change. Now, at UCFMR, I hope to expand on my interests in patient-centered preventative care, medical education, sports medicine, and procedural training in a supportive environment with incredible co-residents and faculty.
Outside of the clinic, I love playing video games with my fiancé, making new air fryer recipes, skiing, playing softball, and trying to leash-train my two cats in hopes of someday taking them on hikes in the Colorado mountains.
University Health Track
Education: BA, Washington University in St. Louis; MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hometown: Denver, CO
Hello! My name is Lillie (she/her) and I’m so excited to be part of UCFMR, training in and learning from my childhood community. I grew up here in Denver but left the state for college, studying anthropology and environmental studies at Washington University in St. Louis (while also playing Division 3 soccer, go bears!). During my time at WashU I gained an appreciation for the impact of population-wide medicine and intended to pursue a career in public health.
However, life had other plans and I embarked on an entirely different path, instead playing a season of professional soccer with the Chicago Red Stars. This quick detour helped me to realize my desire for a more hands-on role in the health care system and thus I began the post-grad journey of a post-baccalaureate program and clinical research coordinating at Northwestern University.
I was lucky enough to return home to attend University of Colorado School of Medicine, where I learned from community members in the Urban and Underserved Track and implemented change as the Executive President of the Medical School Council. Throughout my four years, I was drawn to the intersection of clinical care and humanity, to a specialty that treated a patient’s health in the context of their daily life. And that is why I’m so proud to be at UCFMR, a program that emphasizes these values while supporting our individual growth. I’m looking forward to exploring all of my areas of interest, including many aspects of women’s health, sports medicine, climate change medicine, POCUS and health policy advocacy. In my free time you can find me doing all sorts of Colorado-y things including trail running with my roommate, skiing at any Ikon mountain, playing co-ed soccer, hosting dinner parties, hanging out with my parents or playing with my cat, Miso.
Miller Balley, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BA University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MD University of Minnesota Medical School
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Hi! I’m Miller (she/her) and I am extremely excited to be at CUFMR. I have spent my whole life in the Twin Cities and thought I didn’t have a Minnesota accent until I moved here.
During college, I studied Biology, Society, and the Environment and was a member of the BA/MD program. Through this program, I was introduced to medical topics at weekly seminars led by Family Medicine doctors. They first inspired me to pursue Family Medicine after they shared about their connections to their community and patients, full spectrum care they can deliver, and the ways they advocate on small and large scales for their patients.
While in medical school at the University of Minnesota, I was able to complete a 9-month clerkship at a Family Medicine clinic in St. Paul. The clinic served a mostly refugee and immigrant population and I experienced the power that primary care has to address health inequities. I was also involved in a cascading mentorship program for youth historically underrepresented in medicine created by one of the doctors who led my undergrad seminars. I watched as many started college and medical school after developing relationships with healthcare professionals in our community.
I chose the Denver Health track at CUFMR because I am passionate about primary care and excited to work with diverse populations. I am so excited to work with residents and faculty who are as excited about Family Medicine as I am! Outside of medicine I love to be in the sun, hike, crochet, bake and dance.
Lisa Estevez-Celi, DO
University Track
Education: BA, Saint Louis University; DO, A. T. Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Hey there! My name is Lisa (she/her), and I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where I stayed to complete my Biology degree at Saint Louis University (Go Cards, and roll Bills!). After completing undergraduate, I moved to Kirksville, Missouri, where I lived for my first two years of medical school at A. T. Still University. Between my second and third year of medical school, I completed a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in Medical Education where I had the chance to foster my love of teaching, POCUS, curricular development, human patient simulation, and advocacy. After my fellowship year, I completed my third year of clinical rotations in Phoenix, Arizona, before moving to Denver to finish my last year of medical school.
I had always loved the idea of being a community doctor and creating lasting relationships with my patients, but I fell in love with Family Medicine while working closely with curricular development for my medical school’s Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Education Elective. Family Medicine is so unique in its position to care for patients from birth to death in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and my goal is to create a more inclusive healthcare environment for folks with IDD. I am so excited to be here in CUFMR on the University track where I can work on my advocacy goals on both a community and academic level.
My other medical interests include gender affirming care, medical education, ultrasound, gynecology, and hospitalist medicine. My non-medical interests include rock climbing, reading, biking, hiking, occasionally judging collegiate acappella competitions, and snuggling with my shiba inu, Oso. Fun fact: my partner is also in the program and is on the Denver Health track!
Lily Hale, MD
University Track
Education: Undergrad in University of North Carolina; MD University of North Carolina
Hometown: North Carolina
Hi y’all! I was born and raised in North Carolina and am thrilled to be here in Colorado for residency. As an undergraduate nutrition and public health student at the University of North Carolina, I discovered my excitement for health education through teaching cooking classes to elementary school students. After college, I worked as a medical assistant at a small family practice where I quickly fell in love with the constant learning, daily variety, and continuity of care that Family Medicine offered. I saw firsthand the impact Family Medicine physicians have on the health of a community by focusing on health education and disease prevention, all of which perfectly aligned with my vision of the doctor I wanted to become.
During medical school at UNC, I enjoyed tutoring junior medical students, researching diabetes care delivery during the pandemic, serving as an editor for the student-run medical journal, and volunteering as a primary care provider at the free student-run clinic. As I completed my clinical rotations, I loved learning from each specialty but continually found myself returning to the thought of how a particular disease could have been prevented. I knew then that Family Medicine was the right place for me! Within Family Medicine, I am especially interested in chronic disease management, obesity medicine, office-based procedures, and advocating for increased investment in primary care.
I chose CUFMR because it was clear the faculty were passionate about developing the future of Family Medicine. I was particularly drawn to the education around health policy and advocacy, as well as the flexibility the curriculum provides to pursue individual interests. Outside of work, I‘m looking forward to cycling with my husband, hiking with my 9-year-old Foxhound Daisy, and exploring all the food, art, and culture that Denver has to offer!
Jenna Kanner, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of Wisconsin, Madison; MD, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Hometown: Takoma Park, MD
Hi everyone! I’m Jenna and am so excited to join CUFMR! I grew up in Takoma Park and Silver Spring, Maryland and then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison where I majored in Neuroscience and Psychology. After college, I moved back to the east coast to research the intersection of environmental factors and pregnancy outcomes at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Volunteering at women’s health and sexual health clinics showed me the profound role community support, advocacy, and longitudinal care play in health outcomes!
In medical school, I had the privilege of helping to develop a free intra-graduate school community clinic and to work with a team of peers from NIH to advocate for improved health outcomes for incarcerated populations. Partnering with patients and community members with diverse life experiences was incredibly rewarding and provided perspective as to the hurdles individuals go through to access care. I loved different parts of all of my rotations and chose family medicine because I was drawn to the intersection of advocacy and longitudinal care, and loved every FM doc I worked with!
I’m passionate about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ and gender-affirming care, medical education and mentorship, and procedural training. I chose UCFMR because of the supportive community, ability to explore full-scope FM, and for the opportunity to learn alongside and serve a FQHC population. It doesn’t hurt that my co-residents are absolutely incredible!
Outside of medicine you can find me hiking to (and plunging in!) an alpine lake, baking or cooking TikTok recipes my friends sent me, hosting dinner parties, running, reading, or attempting to make dinnerware on the pottery wheel.
Hannah Kimmel Supron, MD
University Track
Education: BA, MPH, Brown University; MD, University of Michigan Medical School
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado
Hello! I’m Hannah (she/her), and I’m thrilled to be back in Colorado to join CUFMR! I grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado and after many years of schooling and working on the East Coast and Midwest, I am excited to return home. I studied linguistics and French in college before earning an MPH with a focus in epidemiology. During my MPH, my research focused on mindfulness-based interventions and cardiovascular health. I then worked full-time in evidence-based medicine, collaborating on meta-analyses, before completing the premedical postbac program at the University of Michigan.
I’ve always I wanted to be a family physician. I love building long-term relationships with patients, coaching and educating, practicing full-scope medicine, and advocating in the community. Selected as a National Health Service Corps Scholar, I am also committed to health equity and serving underserved communities. My other professional interests include POCUS, integrative medicine, dyadic care, obstetrics, and reproductive care.
I cherish spending time with my husband, our energetic toddler, and our sweet dog. You can also find me on Peloton, hiking/camping, and hosting gatherings. I love to read and listen to audiobooks and plan an outing specifically around a cup of coffee. CUFMR is my dream program for many reasons - the quality of training, health policy opportunities, and, above all, the people. As a resident who is also a parent, finding a program that offered support and could become a second family was crucial…and CUFMR is certainly that!
Ashley Mai, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, Southern Methodist University; MD, Long School of Medicine
Hometown: Richardson, TX
Hi everyone! I grew up in the suburbs of North Dallas and attended undergrad at SMU (Pony Up!) I then ventured to the far depths of San Antonio to attend medical school at the Long School of Medicine, which is where I met my husband! During my time there, I became deeply involved with the Texas Academy of Family Physicians and developed a passion for organized medicine's transformative potential. Now joining CUFMR, I'm eager to further refine my leadership skills as a family medicine doc and look forward to becoming an integral part of the community I serve. Outside of medicine, I love spending time with my husband and our two dogs, Bear and Roxie. I also love baking sweet treats, exploring new restaurants, and I'm excited to take advantage of the nearby mountains for hiking and learning how to ski!
Laura Meimari, MD
University Track
Education: BE, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, Canada; MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hometown: Stouffville, Ontario
Hi there! I’m Laura (she/her), and I am so excited to be joining UCFMR for residency! I was born and raised in Montreal and Toronto, Canada before attending McGill University in Montreal to study chemical engineering. After graduating, I began a career in the mining industry, which brought me all over the world and allowed me to have some incredible experiences, including working for over two years at a remote gold mine in the Sahara. Ultimately, after landing in Denver, I realized that my passion lay in work that was people-focused, and I decided to make the leap to pursue medicine instead. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I completed a post-baccalaureate program and then medical school, both at the University of Colorado. During school, my research was focused on quality improvement in hospital medicine, and I served on the Student Professionalism Committee and co-founded the Physicians in Leadership Interest Group. I also volunteered with the DAWN Clinic as a care coordinator, which solidified my interest in primary care. What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to form longitudinal relationships with patients, help them navigate their healthcare, and care for them as whole persons.
Within family medicine, my interests are women’s and reproductive health, obstetrics, QI, and medical education, but I look forward to exploring the field further through the excellent training at UCFMR. Outside of medicine, I love baking, solving any problem with a spreadsheet, and spending time with my family.
Michael Persinger, Jr., MD
University Track
Education: BA, University of Colorado - Boulder; MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, CO
Hello all! I'm Michael Persinger (he/him). I grew up in Colorado, specifically the Highlands Ranch area. I went to the University of Colorado at Boulder for my BA, where I majored in Integrative Physiology and minored in Sociology with a Certificate in Public Health. During my undergraduate studies, I spent time volunteering in local emergency rooms, which sparked my interest in a career in medicine.
As a member of the University of Colorado School of Medicine's Rural Program, I spent my entire third year of school in La Junta, CO. While there, I saw firsthand how family medicine physicians could impact their community both in and outside the clinic. It was in La Junta where I worked closely with the clinic outreach team to learn more about the social and economic barriers the local migrant workers face and how the clinic would be able to be more amenable to these patients. This experience solidified my decision to pursue family medicine so I may plug into my community and dedicate my career to making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all.
I chose CUFMR because I had the fortune of rotating at A.F. WIlliams as a medical student and saw firsthand that the training UCMFR provides would shape me into the type of family medicine physician I aspire to be. The program's dedication to caring for the underserved and the community was immensely appealing. My other medical interests include geriatric care, healthcare leadership, and surgical obstetrics.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy cheering on the Buffs, reading, exercising, and spending time with my wife, friends, and family.
Ha Rio, MD
Rural Training Track
Education: BA, Reed College; MPH, Oregon Health & Science University; DO, Touro University California
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam/Portland, OR
Before med school, I worked in biomedical research, data analysis, and child welfare performance management. After earning my medical degree, I completed an internship year in General Surgery at the Valley Health System in Las Vegas, NV, before joining CUFMR. I’m a nomad but have lived in Denver on and off for many years, and I’m excited to move back to make it a more permanent home.
I love operating, skateboarding, snowboarding, playing the guitar, road-tripping, and being outside in the mountains with my dog.
Brinda Sarathy, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, East Carolina University; MD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hello! My name is Brinda (she/her/hers), and I’m excited to join the CUFMR family. Though I was born in Colorado, I grew up and spent most of my life in North Carolina. I studied Public Health and Nutrition at East Carolina University as an undergraduate. While in college, I volunteered at a few free clinics with primarily underserved populations and began to learn about the effects of the social determinants of health and the benefits of preventive healthcare.
I attended medical school at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill, where I was involved with Medical Students for Choice and UNC’s student-run gender-affirming care clinic. During medical school, I also helped lead workshops about the relationship between race and art and developed an advocacy curriculum for UNC clinical medical students. While living in the mountains of Western North Carolina during my longitudinal clinical rotations, I solidified my path of becoming a primary care family medicine doctor. I admired the meaningful relationships my preceptors developed with their patients across the lifespan and knew I wanted a similarly diverse practice.
CURM felt like the perfect environment to continue my interests in advocating for underserved populations, training in LGBTQ+ care, and engaging in social justice and medical humanities while surrounded by equally passionate peers and mentors. And, it helps that I still get to be around beautiful mountains!
When I'm not at work, you can find me running in a park, cooking a New York Times recipe, hiking, writing, or trying out new hobbies (most recently aerial arts and rock climbing!)
Jane Song, MD
University Track
Education: BS, University of Colorado -Boulder; MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Hello! I’m Jane (she/her), and I am beyond excited to continue my training with CUFMR. I grew up in Aurora, CO, and then went to the University of Colorado Boulder (sko buffs!) to study Chemical & Biological Engineering. In between undergrad and medical school, I worked as an executive assistant at CU Boulder for three years, gaining valuable experience in the professional world. I attended medical school at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. I was part of the research track, where I worked to characterize pediatric ependymomas on MRI. I also researched adolescent behavioral health and enjoyed the intersection of pediatric medicine with mental health. Furthermore, I was fortunate to be able to perform some advocacy work in substance abuse, co-authoring a citizen’s petition to the FDA. I fell in love with family medicine during my clinical clerkships, particularly for the inclusivity of all patients and all aspects of their health, and for the relationships and continuity. I knew that a family-centered, holistic approach to patients was exactly what I wanted from a career in medicine.
During residency, I hope to continue to explore my interests and cultivate my growth as a full-scope family physician. I have several interests, including addiction medicine, adolescent medicine, LGBTQ care, procedural medicine, and several more. I am particularly passionate about academic medicine, teaching, and medical education. I am very grateful to continue my growth as a physician within my community and with such a supportive program.
Outside of medicine, I love spending time walking with & cuddling my dog Lenny, a pug mix who carries my whole heart in his little paws! I also am an avid knitter & crocheter, barre lover, and book worm!
Julia Swarthout, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburg PA; MD, Tufts University
Hometown: Boston, MA
Hi! I am Julia (she/her) and I grew up just outside of Boston before attending University of Pittsburgh for undergrad where I studied Biology with a chemistry minor. There, I realized my passion for science, mentorship, and teaching, all of which pointed me towards medical school. I then returned to home Boston and attended medical school at Tufts University (go Jumbos!!). While in school, I noticed that my most favorite interactions with patients were the ones where we got to discuss the intricacies of their lives, and how environmental and systemic factors affected their health so that we could work together to address those barriers. I also loved working with patients of all ages, and I realized there was no patient population that I was prepared to give up for the rest of my career, making family medicine the perfect choice for me. CUFMR stood out to me because of the passionate faculty, the uniquely rewarding patient population at Denver Health, and the emphasis on community involvement. Plus, it helps to be in such a beautiful and thriving city!
When I’m not at work, I’m usually either watching whatever reality dating show is on at the moment, hiking, cooking an elaborate meal, or napping (*usually napping).
Rural Training Track
Education: BS Oregon State University; MD Oregon Health and Science University
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Hi y’all, I’m Lexie. I grew up in Portland, OR and initially attended the University of San Francisco for undergrad, where I played on the women’s soccer team, before transferring to Oregon State University to finish up my degree in kinesiology. During and after undergrad, I worked as a medical scribe trainer, where I worked in numerous different specialties, but always had a passion for family medicine.
I attended Oregon Health and Science University for medical school, where I organized student involvement at a free health clinic in Vancouver, WA for uninsured patients, helped lead an auction where we raised over $20,000 for free medical, dental, and wound care clinics for under-resourced populations in Portland, OR, and researched disparities in mental health management between children of color and whites in the pediatric emergency room at OHSU.
I chose rural family medicine, because I want to continue working with under-resourced communities and partner with them to improve their overall health and wellbeing. I selected CUFMR, because I believe they will provide me with a robust, well-rounded training that not only makes me a competent physician, but also a compassionate human being.
In my spare time I enjoy hiking with my three dogs (2 mini dachshunds and 1 chihuahua), running, riding horses and being around animals, photography, and cooking.
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Emily Cohen, MD, MPH
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of California, Los Angeles; MPH, Harvard University; MD Weill Cornell Medical College
Hometown: Mill Valley, California
Hi! I’m Emily (she/her), originally from Northern California, where my love for nature and community first took root. I’m drawn to family medicine for its blend of whole-person care, patient advocacy, and community engagement.
My path has been shaped by experiences at the intersection of clinical care and public health have. For five years, I’ve partnered with religious leaders in Mwanza, Tanzania, to co-develop a hypertension curriculum that integrates faith and health to increase trust between health workers and community leaders. This experience sparked my passion for culturally grounded care and inspired me to pursue an MPH at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. During my MPH I worked in rural El Salvador with a community-run nonprofit to design a diabetes program led by community health workers.
In medical school, I co-founded a harm reduction clinic and led the creation of a student elective on addiction care. I also helped develop a medical student rotation at Rikers Island Jail, volunteered at a free LGBTQ+ mental health clinic, and advocated for abortion education as president of Cornell’s Medical Students for Choice. These experiences solidified my commitment to justice-driven, community-rooted care.
Outside medicine, I find joy and balance in the outdoors and the arts. I backpack often and founded the Cornell Medicine hiking club. During medical school, I had a side job leading kayaking and rafting trips. I love viewing and creating art and enjoy visiting museums, painting, and drawing.
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Sophie Kurschner, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BA, Macalester College; MD, George Washington University School of Medicine
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Hi all, I’m Sophie (she/her)! For the most part, I grew up in Portland, Oregon. However, there are also a few other places I call home - I have family in Germany and through my dad’s job have lived in a few different countries across Latin America.
With somewhat international roots, I’ve always had an interest in community and global health, leading me to study anthropology and biology at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. During undergrad, I worked in Botswana with a HIV grassroots organization focused on education and prevention. After college, I spent time in Guatemala collaborating with family physicians on research projects around nutrition, reproductive health, and chronic disease management. These experiences solidified my passion for community medicine that integrates research and advocacy, ultimately shaping my path to medical school and family medicine.
I continued exploring research interests in health equity during medical school at GW in Washington, DC. There, I partnered with a medical-legal team doing research on integrating immigration legal support into clinical care. Experiences like these affirmed my decision to choose family medicine, finding family physicians uniquely positioned to address both medical needs and social factors.
I’m thrilled to join CUFMR! During my Sub-I with the program, I worked alongside an incredible team that cultivates community and delivers compassionate care. I chose UCFMR for this supportive environment, commitment to underserved populations, and opportunities to grow in advocacy, refugee/immigrant health, and reproductive justice.
Outside of medicine, you’ll find me soaking up free time outdoors. From cross-country ski trails and downhill slopes to hiking paths and neighborhood run loops—I love it all, especially in the company of my partner, Brian (who has taken this wild med school journey in stride), and our stubborn but undeniably cute beagle, Louie. I also cherish slower moments indoors, whether it’s a family cribbage game or curling up with a good book.
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Maebelle Mathew, MD, MPH
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; MPH, Gillings School of Global Public Health (UNC); MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Hi all, I’m Maebelle (she/her)! I grew up in North Carolina, and my family is originally from India. Navigating the world as Indian-American served as an early introduction on the importance of community and culture in my life.
During college, I studied Biology and the intersection of the Health Humanities and Public Health. I discovered how culture, place, and community play just as much, if not more, of a role in health as biology or genetics. I saw this in practice after college, when I served in Americorps at a Family Medicine clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. I knew I wanted to impact health at both the individual and societal level, through both medicine and public health.
I returned to UNC for medical school and also completed my MPH between my 3rd and 4th years of medical school. I began diving into refugee and immigrant health, conducting projects to increase language access at a Family Medicine clinic and exploring influences on food choices among South Asian immigrants. I also volunteered and served as the Chief Community Relations Officer at our local student-run free clinic. These experiences bolstered my passion for community health, especially immigrant health.
Outside of medicine, I love to dance, hike, read, and play board games. Put me in a grassy field or a hiking trail on a sunny day with a close friend or a good book, and I’ll be the happiest camper.
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Martin P. Garcia, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of Arizona; MD, University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, but truly came into adulthood in Tucson, where I’ve lived for the past nine years. The desert feels like home in every sense—its open skies, dry heat, and resilient beauty mirror the grounding I’ve found here during medical school and beyond. Outside of medicine, the gym has become my second home. It's where I reset, reflect, and push myself physically the same way I strive to grow mentally and emotionally in my clinical training.
I'm a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, even if I’ve accepted that witnessing a championship might be a dream deferred. Closer to home, the Phoenix Suns are the only Arizona team I consistently follow—they've held a special place in my heart since childhood. And while this year wasn’t ours, the Dodgers' recent World Series win gave me a much-needed consolation prize.
Looking ahead, I’m drawn to both sports medicine and OB-GYN. I’m passionate about working with patients through key transitions in life—whether it’s injury recovery, pregnancy, or performance goals. These fields align with my love for continuity of care and empowering people to better understand and care for their bodies.
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Bethany Shotts, MD
Denver Health Track
Education: BS, University of Wyoming; MD, University of Washington School of Medicine – Wyoming
Hometown: Cody, WY
Hi everyone! I’m Bethany (she/her) and I’m originally from Cody, Wyoming. I attended the University of Wyoming where I studied physiology. During my time there, I was able to work in a free clinic, starting my journey of caring for underserved populations and reaffirming my desire to work in medicine. I also had the opportunity to work with AmeriCorps, finding my joy of being integrated in and giving back to a community.
During medical school, I enjoyed many of my clerkships but always found myself being drawn back to Family Medicine for the ability to work with patients as they go through life and the ability to care for patients of all ages and backgrounds of life. I found my passion for advocacy through my work in expanding access to gender affirming care and LGBTQ+ health related content to medical students and physicians in Wyoming and advocating for reproductive rights. Within Family Medicine, I have interest in addiction and sports medicine, reproductive healthcare, and LGBTQ+ and gender affirming care (but I really just love everything about it). I am excited to be joining CUFMR for its excellent training not only in medicine but also in leadership and advocacy and the ability to grow and shape my passions to be a great physician for all patients.
Outside of medicine, you can find me spending time with my husband, friends, and family either enjoying a good meal, playing a good game, or exploring a new place, or I’ll be enjoying some quiet time with a good book and a cup of tea.
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Stephen Jennings, MD
University Track
Education: BA, Vassar College; MD, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Hometown: Poughkeepsie, NY
Hey! I’m Stephen (he/him) and I’m from Poughkeepsie, New York. I went to Vassar College where I studied economics and math and played soccer. After college, I worked in finance for a few years before deciding to pivot into medicine. I completed a post-bac at Bryn Mawr College and stayed in Philly for medical school at Sidney Kimmel Medical College - let's go Phillies!!
I was drawn to family medicine because it lets me build long-term relationships with patients, care for people of all ages, and pursue my interests in everything from sports medicine to obstetrics. I love that it keeps the whole person, and their story, at the center of care. I’m so excited to be training at CUFMR! The program’s commitment to underserved care, full-spectrum training, and strong sense of community made it a perfect fit. Plus, I can’t wait to explore Colorado and make the most of everything Denver has to offer.
Outside of medicine, you can find me hiking, golfing, or watching a game with Chance, our very handsome (and very spoiled) dog.
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Erin Kobiella, MD
University Track
Education: BS, Brandeis University; MD, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Hometown: Marietta, Georgia
Hey there! My name is Erin (she/hers), and I am thrilled to be joining the UCFMR team! I grew up in Marietta, GA, just north of Atlanta, with my five siblings. I moved to New England to study neuroscience, biology, and psychology at Brandeis University. Following college, I worked as a medical scribe for two years before starting medical school in Miami.
My medical interests bounced all over the place, from pediatrics to women’s health to psychiatry, and very briefly, even surgery and emergency medicine. When I discovered family medicine, I felt like everything settled into place, and I knew this was the specialty for me. Currently, I am interested in adolescent medicine, sports medicine, and women’s health, although I expect these interests to evolve as I experience new things in residency! Ultimately, what draws me most to family medicine is the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with my patients and use these bonds to deliver exceptional medical care. I chose CUFMR for the combination of full-spectrum training, commitment to leadership and advocacy, dedication to community health, and culture of growth and support. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join this team!
Outside of medicine, I love spending time with friends and my partner, going on nature walks and hikes (birding, anyone?), playing rec sports, and tending to my many houseplants. My partner and I also have a little black cat named Luna who we adore very much. I am very much looking forward to exploring everything Denver and Colorado have to offer!
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Alexandra Mackey, MD
University Track
Education: BS, Florida State University; MD, Florida State University College of Medicine
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
Hello! My name is Alex (she/her) and I could not be more excited to join the Family Medicine team here in Denver! I grew up in Bradenton, Florida before moving to Tallahassee to earn my undergraduate degrees from Florida State University in Food and Nutrition Sciences. I took a gap year working as a pediatric medical assistant before going back to FSU for medical school-Go Noles!
Throughout medical school I was drawn to Family Medicine due to the specialty’s variety and ability to care for patients of all ages and walks of life. I love nearly every aspect of medicine, but currently have special interests in women’s health, procedures, and lifestyle medicine. I chose UCFMR for the opportunity for full-spectrum training and am excited to see where these next three years take me!
In my free time I love spending time with my fiancé, playing pickleball, knitting/crocheting, or binge watching the latest season of Love is Blind.
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Haleh Matinrad, MD
University Track
Education: BS, University of California Los Angeles; MD, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Hometown: Salinas, California
Hi everyone, my name is Haleh (she/her)! I grew up on the Central Coast of California after immigrating to the United States from Iran as a child. My family has instilled in me a passion for making an impact in the world through medicine and taking care of my community. This has been ever present as I sought out ways to volunteer and engage with the communities that I found myself in.
During my undergraduate years at UCLA, I participated in the Sports Medicine Internship Program which laid a foundation for my interests within sports medicine. As I scribed for a physiatrist during my gap year, this interest continued to blossom but as a medical student at SLU, I came to realize that my passions were numerous and ultimately Family Medicine was the only specialty that was right for me. These interests include (but are not limited to) mental health, reproductive healthcare, and medical education. I have also had the opportunity to combine my love for traveling and medicine by participating in multiple global health experiences. As a physician, I want to pursue all these passions and act as an advocate for my patients while providing excellent holistic care. Writing this feels a bit like I’m biting off more than I can chew but I think that’s the flexible beauty of family medicine 😊.
Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my partner and our two pets, playing volleyball, indoor rock climbing, crafting, and exploring new food spots! Super excited to explore Denver and what the rest of Colorado has to offer!
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Emily Seiler, MD
University Track
Education: BS, Saint Louis University; MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine
Hometown: Leopold, Missouri
Hi all, I’m Emily (she/her)! I grew up in rural southern Missouri in a small town with a population of less than 300. Then, I moved to St. Louis for my BS at Saint Louis University, where I studied Investigative & Medical Sciences and Health Care Ethics. It was here where my passion for health justice and improving health care access blossomed.
This led me to a medical education in Washington, DC at Georgetown University School of Medicine. It was there where I dove into street medicine with Street Health DC and institutional anti-racism movements with GUSOM’s Racial Justice Committee for Change (RJCC). One day, I stopped and realized that all my role models at GUSOM were family medicine faculty -- that told me all I needed to know about what specialty to join! Now, my goal is to become a family physician that provides evidence-based care to underserved communities. This is why I’m so thrilled to train with CUFMR! My other interests include advocacy, medical leadership, and integration of psychiatric care into primary care.
Outside of medicine, you’ll find me spending time with my partner, cuddling with my dog, losing myself in a modern art exhibit (shoutout Glenstone Museum), photographing landscapes, or cruising in my ‘77 Mercedes convertible.
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Elliane Siebert, MD
University Track
Education: BA, Public Health University of Michigan; MD, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
Hometown: Ada, Michigan
Hi! I’m Elliane (she/her), and I’m from Ada, Michigan, and spent the last several years in Flint and Grand Rapids. After earning a degree in Community and Global Public Health from the University of Michigan, I worked as a Community Health Navigator during the pandemic, helping Medicaid patients access food, housing, and transportation. That role gave me a front-row seat to the impact of social determinants on health and solidified my commitment to a career rooted in equity and prevention.
In medical school, I stayed involved in advocacy through the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, working on state-level policy that affects both providers and the communities they serve. Along the way, I discovered a love for teaching—whether working one-on-one with fellow medical students or engaging with the broader community. As a peer tutor, I focused on supporting students with learning differences, helping them tackle complex material and build effective study habits. In Flint, I collaborated with the migrant community to develop accessible health education materials aimed at making information more approachable for those new to the U.S. healthcare system. These experiences deepened my belief that education is a powerful form of advocacy—one that meets people where they are and helps build lasting connection and understanding.
I chose CU for its commitment to advocacy, teaching, and full-spectrum training. I’m excited to grow as a clinician, educator, and advocate while learning from a community that shares these values. Just as important to me is maintaining balance and joy outside of medicine. I love spending time hiking, camping, and playing board games with friends and family—but my all-time favorite hobby is knitting while listening to an audiobook on 2x speed.
Alumni
Our alumni are making positive, and varied contributions toward advancing the practice of family medicine.
Contact:Family Medicine Instructor
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Family Medicine
CU Anschutz
Academic Office One
12631 East 17th Avenue
Box F496
Aurora, CO 80045
303-724-9700
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