Our Residents
Fourth Years
Bilaal Ahmed
Pennsylvania State College of Medicine
About Bilaal:
Bilaal grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California. He attended UC Berkeley for undergrad, then earned an MPH in Epidemiology and International Health from Boston University. After earning his degree, he worked on international HIV/AIDS programs based out of Washington, DC for a couple years prior to pursuing medical school at Penn State. After residency, he hopes to do a mix of clinical care and public health research, hopefully at a county health department as well as be involved in international global health advocacy. He has a passion for caring for underserved populations and plans to practice as part of the National Health Service Corps.
Outside of the Hospital:Bilaal enjoys playing most sports, snowboarding, and adding more countries to the list of places he’s been. His favorite spots in Colorado include Cherry Creek Reservoir in Denver and the Million Dollar Highway. His medical hero is Patch Adams and his medical band name would be “Epic Notes”.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“When applying, I was looking for a well-balanced, supportive program with excellent clinical training in both medicine and pediatrics in a location where I would be able to engage in fun activities when not working. I also valued the flexibility to pursue my own interests and projects during residency and a strong continuity clinic. Colorado med-peds fit all of these. Since being here, one of my favorite things about our program is it’s fairly young age which provides opportunities to pilot new initiatives across a number of areas and mold the program based on resident input.”
Snowboarding recs, moving from the East Coast, global health or public health interests
Amy Beeson
University of Colorado School of Medicine
About Amy:
Amy claims the southwest (western Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico) as home. She completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard College. She then moved to Lima, where she worked for Partners in Health before returning home to Colorado for medical school. During medical school, she spent a year as a Doris Duke International Clinical Research Fellow in rural Tugela Ferry, South Africa. After residency, she plans to practice a hybrid of primary care and public health with an underserved focus.
Outside of the Hospital:When not in the hospital, Amy can be found hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, running in parks around Denver, roasting local vegetables, reading novels about faraway places, rock climbing, and salsa dancing. Her favorite spot in Denver is City Park.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“My priorities when applying included hospitals/programs with a focus on underserved care and a mindset of service, excellent categorical programs, strong continuity clinic experience, and cultural fit - CO med-peds fit all of these. I have also learned that excellent, responsive leadership makes a tremendous difference and we most definitely have that here. Also, the importance of outside of work factors like proximity to family, friends, partner, mountains cannot be over-estimated. My favorite thing about our program is our wonderful med-peds family.”
Contact me for:
Advocacy, public health, primary care, global health, HIV primary care interests
Jessica Koontz
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
About Jessica:
Jessica grew up in a small town in northwest NC and then completed undergrad and medical school at UNC-Chapel Hill. Because of her rural background, she has a specific interest in under-served populations and spent time in medical school working at a mobile clinic in a refugee community. She plans to pursue a career in med-peds primary care and in 10 years she hopes to be seeing patients that she’s known for years and have the opportunity to see them grow and have awesome life experiences, but also walk through tough times with them.
Outside of the Hospital:
In her free time, you can find her running through a local park, gardening in her backyard, hiking or climbing with her husband, indoor cycling and competing with her mom across the country or eating ice cream from one of the many awesome creameries in Denver. Her favorite spots include her backyard, Denver Central Market, any place in the hospital with a view of the mountains, and Aspen in the fall. Her medical band name would be “The Flu Fighters”, and her spirit animal is a hippogriff.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“This place has it all - strong categorical programs, excellent leadership, awesome residents, outstanding continuity clinic, and unbeatable location. The diversity of training sites, including a county hospital system, the VA, and tertiary care centers, allows for the depth and breadth of training I desire. Given my relatively undecided career interests when I started residency, I was confident that I could experience all aspects of medicine and pediatrics here and mold my career under mentors in pretty much any field imaginable.”
Contact me for:
Moving from the east coast, being far from family, interest in primary care, finding a Christian church, running spots
Jennifer Le
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
About Jennifer: Jennifer was born in Montreal, Canada, but moved to Tampa, Florida at the age of 6. There she completed a seven year accelerated BS/MD program at the University of South Florida. During that time, she did research in organic chemistry and developed an interest in medical education. After residency, she would like to be an academic combined medicine-pediatric hospitalist.
Outside of the hospital:
Jennifer is a self-described nerd who loves Harry Potter and comic books. She enjoys game nights, escape rooms, mild gardening, watching a good film, and reading fiction. One of her favorite spots is our clinic workroom- it has Trader Joe’s snacks galore, an interesting little library, and it’s a brief reprieve from the demands of clinic. If she could eat one type of food for the rest of her life, it would be carbs!
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“I feel really lucky to have been matched a residency program that not only has nurturing and brilliant faculty members but also co-residents who genuinely care about each other and motivate me to be a better physician/human being every day. In addition, the Southwest Med-Peds clinic was one of the most well-designed clinics that I visited on the interview trail, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with such a diverse population, ranging from veterans to refugees. I loved the vibe that I got when I visited Denver. The city was big enough without being overwhelming, multicultural without losing its unique identity, and forward-thinking without forgetting the value of nature, not to mention simply downright friendly. It had all the perks of Florida sunshine without the humidity or the summer downpours!”
Contact me for:
Being far from family, combined hospitalist interest
Third Years
Rob Broadhurst
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
About Rob:
Rob grew up in Nashville, TN before moving to Chapel Hill, NC where he attended both college and medical school at UNC. Rob has a strong interest in public health and prior to medical school, he spent a year working with maternal and child health programs in Haiti. During medical school, he spent time doing HIV research in Malawi and visiting homes of frequently hospitalized patients in Chapel Hill. He also received an MPH prior to graduating. After residency, Rob would like to work as a medicine and pediatrics hospitalist, as well as work with design and implementation of public health programs in Denver.
Outside of the Hospital:
Rob loves fly fishing, trail running, biking, and playing just about any sport. He loves both Colorado summers and winters because you can find him fly fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter. One positive thing that happened to him during quarantine is that he got engaged to his significant other, Lauren! His personality color is Carolina Blue.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“I was looking for a program with diversity in training opportunities, focus on caring for the underserved, and opportunity to work with both local and global public health programs; UC absolutely fits that mold. Being relatively undecided in terms of career interest, the ability to work in a county hospital, university hospital, VA, phenomenal children’s hospital, and outpatient clinic with a large underserved population seemed just about perfect. I loved the residents I met when I came to interview and immediately felt like these could be my people. It certainly didn’t hurt that Denver is so close to some of the best rivers and trails in the country!”
Contact me for:
Moving from out of state, questions about fun things to do outside (summer and winter), interest in public health
Andrew Freddo
University of Michigan Medical School
About Andrew:
Andrew was born in New York City, but moved at a young age to the Garden State and continues to consider himself a proud New Jerseyan! He moved to the East Coast and attended California Institute of Technology for undergrad. He then moved back closer to family for the MD/PhD program at the University of Michigan. He completed his PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology studying the development of the small intestine. After residency, he plans to pursue a fellowship in Adult Congenital Cardiology with plans to pursue a career in clinical research to help improve outcomes in this population.
Outside of the hospital:
When not in the hospital, Andrew will most likely be making some home-cooked Italian food or trying out a new restaurant around town with his partner, Jose. During quarantine, he got a new puppy name Chobani! In Colorado, his favorite spot is Beaver Creek, his favorite ski resort - you get chocolate chip cookies at the end of the day, which is awesome.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“The University of Colorado was always somewhere that my mentors at Michigan mentioned as having strong categorical medicine and pediatrics programs, along with an amazing faculty in the field of Adult Congenital Cardiology! When I visited for my interview, I was struck by the kindness and openness of the community here. There is amazing collaboration and collegiality pervasive throughout the campus, and I am amazed by the strong emphasis on individualized mentorship. Additionally, coming from a combined program for med school, I found it was important to have a well-integrated Med Peds administration to navigate the unique challenges that there are in bridging two worlds. Even though the program is ‘young’, there is absolutely amazing buy-in from both categorical programs, and the resident support network is amazing.”
Contact me for:
Relocating with a partner, questions about the research opportunities, subspecialty opportunities, or what it's like to be a resident with a puppy
Sarah Reingold
Emory University School of Medicine
About Sarah:
Sarah grew up in Oakland, California and went to Bates College, a small liberal arts college in Maine. After undergrad, she moved to Minnesota to work for the CDC as a Public Health Associate. Working in the school-based clinics of Minneapolis helped her realize that she wanted to pursue a career where she could provide comprehensive care to people at the individual and community level. In order to complete her pre-medical courses, she attended a Post Baccalaureate program at University of Virginia, where she performed HIV testing at UVA’s Infectious Disease Clinic and Emergency Department. She then went to medical school at Emory University where she worked with HIV positive adolescents transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare. Sarah has a variety of interests including adolescent medicine, transitional care, infectious diseases and public health, but hopes to find a career where she can work with underserved populations to reduce health disparities domestically and globally.
Outside of the Hospital:
Sarah loves running and hiking with her boyfriend, Erik, as well as fueling their activities with homemade baked goods and by visiting local breweries. She loves Colorado summers because of the many farmers’ markets, Colorado peaches, and frequent meet ups in the park with friends including Jazz in the Park at City Park. If she could insert herself into a TV show, it would be The Great British Baking Show.
“I knew immediately after my visit that CU was the perfect place for me, both inside and outside of the hospital. While I was initially interested in CU because of the opportunity to train in a variety of healthcare systems with two incredibly strong categorical programs, it honestly came down to the people. I felt that everyone I met was passionate about caring for vulnerable patient populations while working in a collaborative environment. Being able to explore the mountains, trails and rivers was icing on the cake!”
Contact me for:
Being new to Colorado, far from family, having a partner not in medicine, running route recommendations, interest in adolescent medicine
Mi Tran
University of Colorado School of Medicine
About Mi: Mi was born and raised in Colorado and attended college at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Unable to part with picturesque mountains and 300 days of sunshine, she stayed at the University of Colorado to complete medical school and to earn a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology and Health Equity at the Colorado School of Public Health. After residency, she plans to practice primary care at an FQHC and incorporate addiction medicine and advocacy into her practice.
Outside of the Hospital:
During her free time, you can find her exploring new mountains, rock climbing, mountain biking (poorly), and stealing puppy cuddles from her dog, Oliver. She also loves finding new favorite coffee shops and restaurants. Her favorite current restaurant is called, Root Down, in the Highlands. If she could go anywhere in the world right now, it would be to snorkel in Hawaii or hike in Switzerland, and if she could insert herself into a TV show, it would be The Amazing Race.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“The people! The faculty and residents at the University of Colorado are not only great teachers and mentors but are also incredibly kind, compassionate, and inspiring people. In conjunction with strong categorical programs on each side, exposure to a variety of clinical sites, and an awesome continuity clinic, I knew I would be well supported in pursuing whatever career I decide upon after residency (all while having the opportunity to bike/camp/ski on my days off!).”
Contact me for:
Ideas about where to live or what to do for fun in Colorado, dogs, or interests in primary care or public health
Second Years
Samantha Robin
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
About Sam:
Sam was raised in the small town of Sparta, NJ and moved to North Carolina in 2010 to study at Duke University. She then attended medical school at the University of North Carolina. In medical school, she discovered her passions for medical education through curricular development roles as well as her interest in quality improvement and systems-level work within healthcare. After residency, she would like to be either a med-peds hospitalist or do critical care fellowship. She plans to keep medical education and QI parts of her career moving forward.
Outside of the Hospital:
Despite her time as a Tar Heel, Sam has remained a loyal Duke basketball fan. She has a passion for music--she sings, plays the saxophone and piano, has directed several musical theater productions in college, and taught music in China. During residency, she loves to go running or on walks in the trails right outside her front door. There's a place she likes to run to on top of a hill where you can get an amazing view of the mountains for probably 100 miles north and south. Some of her favorite spots in CO are the Sky Pond Hike in RMNP and Cerebral Brewery in Denver. During quarantine, she learned how to yoga handstand (!), and if she were a tree, it would be sassafras because that’s what they use to make root beer.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds:
“As a newer Med-Peds program, I felt like the Colorado Med-Peds program and its leadership were brimming with excitement about new program initiatives and resident projects. The program had clearly been shaped with lots of resident input, and the program leadership showed incredible resident support both for resident wellness as well as mentorship to help residents develop and pursue their own unique interests. The residents I met were kind, smart, and engaging and demonstrated passion both for their work in medicine and their interests outside of medicine. I liked that the program provided training opportunities in a variety of academic and community settings and felt like it was truly connected to and served the local population. Now that I’m here, my favorite part of our program is the people including our fearless med-peds leadership team that is always looking out for the residents, finding ways to improve our program and best support Med-Peds residents and our wellness, as well as my down-to-earth supportive co-residents who inspire me every day.”
Contact me for:
Moving from the east coast, fun outdoor things in CO, helping your spouse from Georgia with buying his first ever winter coat, hospitalist or crit care career interests, great hikes, teaching your spouse how to ski, having pets in residency
Lynne Rosenberg
Weill Cornell Medicine
About Lynne:
Lynne was born and raised in Southern California and completed her undergraduate training at UC Berkeley. She spent a year conducting clinical research at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center before attending medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. While there, she was involved in a number of research projects in the pediatric intensive care unit. In addition, she worked extensively with the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights and Physicians for Human Rights to provide free medical evaluations for asylum seekers. She has a variety of Med-Peds interests, including pediatric oncology and survivorship, critical care, ID and palliative care. At this time, she plans to do fellowship after residency, although undecided on which one, and plans to be involved in medical education long term.
Outside of the Hospital:
When not in the hospital, you can find Lynne playing spikeball or pickleball in a park, decorating a cake, or solving a crossword with a cup of coffee. If she had to choose between CO winters or summers, she would choose summers given amazing hiking that requires fewer layers than skiing and park time for grilling and lawn games. Her medical band name would be N’syncope, and if she could go anywhere in the world right now it would be Iceland to see the Northern lights.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“I was looking for a place with stellar categorical programs, opportunities for medical education, and a supportive family environment. University of Colorado provided all three and then some! Now that I’m here, my favorite thing about Colorado med-peds is the people, including my co-residents and med-peds faculty.”
Contact me for:
Moving to a place where you don't know anyone, double applying (and myth busting! There are a lot of false assumptions about MP out there), leaning toward fellowship, moving from a bigger city (LA, SF, and NYC before this!), pickleball
David Scudder
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
About David:
David grew up in Nashville and then headed west to California to study at Stanford University. He started his career as a high school science teacher. After college, he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa to join the inaugural faculty of the African Leadership Academy. After fours years in Joburg, David and his wife Hannah moved to Denver and taught together at the Denver School of Science and Technology. When David decided to pursue medicine, they moved to Nashville where David attended medical school at Vanderbilt. Still a teacher at heart, David is passionate about medical education, and he was drawn to Med-Peds where he can learn and teach it all. He is undecided on his final career path but knows teaching medical students and residents will be a part of it.
Outside of the Hospital:
In his free time, David can be found hiking or camping in the mountains, running with his wife, and throwing impromptu dance parties with his daughter. He and his family love biking around Cherry Creek Reservoir, and one of his favorite spots in CO is James Peak Wilderness. He is also a fan of Lakeside - a historic amusement park in Denver and favorite date night spot, where the antiquity of the roller coasters adds to their thrill! His medical hero is Francis Collins, and his spirit animal is a golden retriever.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“Colorado impressed me across the board. The people are amazing. The program offers training at a diverse set of hospitals and a stellar clinic experience at Federico F. Peña. I also love being part of a newer program as it shapes the Med-Peds identity in Denver. We are happy to be back near the mountains, and to raise our daughter around a large extended family.”
Contact Me For:
Bike commuting, being married and a parent in residency, medical education, Christian churches
Helena Villalobos
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
About Helena:
Helena was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in Midland, Texas. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University (Go Card!). In college, she was a photographer for the Stanford Daily and spent time abroad working with the NGO Mothers Unite in Cape Town, South Africa. She attended medical school at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. During medical school, she was active in the student-run free clinic, Students for Equal Opportunity in Medicine, the Latino Medical Student Association, and conducted environmental health research. After residency, she would like to practice primary care at a FQHC.
Outside of the Hospital:
When not in the hospital Helena can be found outside spending time with family and friends! She loves Colorado winters and learned to ski her intern year; however, does love hiking and swimming in lakes during summer. During quarantine she bought more plants. If she won the lottery, she would buy vacation for her family and Nespresso coffee machines for all of the call rooms.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“The Med-Peds continuity clinic in Southwest Denver was a huge selling point as I am interested in primary care, working with underserved populations, and caring for medically and socially complex patients, and since being here, it truly is my favorite part of the program. The strong categorical programs and diversity in training sites were also a given. The community is tight-knit and leadership is incredibly hands-ons and invested in the success and wellness of their residents.”
Contact me for:
Moving from a big city, primary care, race in medicine, diversity in Colorado, advocacy projects
First Years
Oliver Bawmann
University of Colorado School of Medicine
About Oliver:
Oliver grew up in Denver, Colorado but left home to attend Santa Clara University where he completed undergrad and also worked as an EMT. He spent a year working in the Bay Area and then returned home to Colorado for medical school. At CU he was involved with the student government, serving as a Class President his first three years, and Medical Student Council President his fourth year. He is passionate about advocacy and worked with the student run free clinic, and the CUSOM LEADS track to bolster these skills. He also pursued his passion for supporting fellow medical students while researching the connection between gratitude and medical student burnout. He is still undecided about his future career plans but is leaning toward fellowship training. He is passionate about med ed, mentorship, and teaching and hopes to work in an academic setting.
Outside of the hospital:
Oliver loves playing pretty much any sport (especially basketball!), bouldering, cooking, reading and spending time with friends. His favorite spots in Colorado are a basketball court with friends or hosting people at his home and cooking together.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“As a medical student here at CU, I was blown away by the caliber of the Med-Peds residents and faculty here at Colorado. They were among the best teachers I encountered in the hospital, and immense kindness and competence seemed to be ubiquitous in everyone I met. It’s what inspired me toward med-peds. I hit the interview trail looking to find a program with very strong categorical programs, and a med-peds culture whose pillars were compassion, excellence, and care for one-another. Ultimately it turned out Colorado was the perfect place to provide all of these things in an exceptional program! I am so happy to be here for residency!”
Contact me for:
The perspective of someone who is from Denver originally. Advice from someone who loved everything and is still interested in several different fields
Erika Becerra-Ashby
University of Illinois College of Medicine - Peoria
About Erika:
Erika was born and raised in the small town of Arcola, Illinois. She graduated from Michigan State University and went on to work in several jobs within the healthcare field. It was her time in case management where she discovered her passion for addressing health disparities. This drove her to pursue a career in medicine. She returned to Illinois to attend medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She would love to work as an adult congenital cardiologist doing outreach to small rural communities in the US and globally with some public health sprinkled in, looking at disparities in care for underserved communities and ways to improve access and care outcomes.
Outside of the hospital:
Erika enjoys running with her husband, hiking, reading, trying new recipes/restaurants, camping, salsa dancing, and binging a great series. Some of her favorite spots include Wash Park in Denver and the beautiful drive to Aspen. If she could go anywhere in the world right now it would be Japan. The song that best describes her work ethic is “Don’t Stop Believing”.
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“The program’s strong emphasis on caring for underserved populations and integrating that goal within its educational curriculum was a big draw for me. The strong categorical programs and diversity of training sites made me feel that I could be ready for practice in any setting. Additionally, I knew I would be supported throughout my residency after seeing the kindness and collaboration residents and leadership showed during my interview. It also didn’t hurt that my husband is from Denver and was definitely selling the mountains and year round sunshine. What’s not to like!”
Contact me for:
Wanting to go into congenital cards, moving from out of state, general questions about Denver
Sutton Higgins
Perelman School of Medicine at the Univ. of Pennsylvania
About Sutton:
Sutton grew up in Wayzata, Minnesota. She attended Dartmouth College for undergrad. After college, she spent a year living in Wyoming, and ultimately returned to the east coast for medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. During medical school, she worked at Covenant House Philadelphia, a crisis center and homeless shelter for adolescents, and conducted research with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia on intergenerational health and teen pregnancy. Sutton is interested in adolescent medicine and primary care. She plans to be involved in advocacy/health services research work long-term in either a rural setting (like IHS) or an academic medical center.
Outside of the hospital:
Outside of the hospital, you can find Sutton hiking, biking or skiing in the mountains, or at home attempting to befriend her roommate’s cat! Some of her favorite spots include Crested Butte and Steamboat Springs. If she could go anywhere in the world right now, it would be Nepal! (A trip planned for the end of her 4th year of med school but cancelled; yet, still on her to-do list in the future!)
Why University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“I was drawn to Colorado for its strong primary care training, commitment to caring for underserved populations, and emphasis on individualized mentorship. On my interview day, I was especially struck by residents’ and program leadership’s commitment to introspection and improvement, in both the residency curriculum and the care provided to patients. The compassion is evident within the program - for one another and for patients - and strong sense of community sealed the deal for me (and proximity to the mountains certainly didn’t hurt!).”
Contact me for:
Moving from the east coast, wanting to go into general things (primary care, hospitalist, etc), being single in residency, interest in advocacy/social justice in medicine
Maggie Kuusinen
University of Colorado School of Medicine
About Maggie:
Maggie was raised in Ski Town USA--Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Maggie is a FOREVER BUFF--she went to CU Boulder for undergrad, CU SOM and was lucky enough to stay for residency. Before starting medical school, she worked at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless and is really passionate about urban underserved care. Her research is in improving transitions of care in adolescents and young adults aging out of the foster care system.
Outside of the Hospital:
On her days off you can find Maggie skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and river rafting! She loves to travel and has lived abroad in both Slovakia and Tanzania. When she isn't playing outside, she enjoys knitting, sewing, painting, and reading.
Why the University of Colorado Med-Peds?
“I have always been passionate about working with urban underserved populations and wanted ample opportunity to serve medically and socially complex patients. The Denver Health system is a fantastic safety net hospital and it was a huge draw that our continuity clinic is in one of their many FQHC's. It was also important for me to find a residency with a welcoming culture, supportive community, and focus on wellness. I love that at Colorado we are seen as people first and residents second. Finally, it's ColoRADo! It is hard to pass up all the adventure that living in a city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains has to offer!”
Contact me for:
Questions about living in Colorado, knitting advise, interest in transitions of care or urban underserved care