Meet Our Rheumatology Fellows
"The CU rheumatology fellowship program, provides a stimulating environment that balances academic rigor with clinical application. Each day, I tackle intricate autoimmune diseases, refining my diagnostic and therapeutic skills alongside supportive faculty and peers. What truly resonates with me is the program's commitment to tailoring training to each fellow's interests, be it through research, subspecialty electives, or MSK ultrasound. This personalized approach fosters my passion for rheumatology and has shaped my journey towards becoming a skilled rheumatologist." - David Defrancisco, MD
"I am generally drawn to places by the people, and this was certainly the case with CU. On interview day, it was easy to see both the warmth and the rigor of this program as well as the diversity of the patient population with a large urban center as well as a sizeable rural catchment area. Since matching, Dr. Kolfenbach, Rachael (program coordinator) and the fellows have been responsive and welcoming beyond my expectations. I am excited to be on this journey with CU Rheumatology!" - Laura Nichols, MD
2023-24 Fellows
Top (left to right): Yawen Ren, Daniele Marcy, Asim Mohamed, Sam Lazaroff Bottom (left to right): Christine Loftis, Julia Chernis, Amaryjot Randhawa, David DeFrancisco Not pictured: Hunter Stone
New 2024-25 Fellows:
Clinical/Research Interests: Rheumatoid arthritis, early screening and prevention, health equity
Hometown: Glendale, Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona Tucson
Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, cooking, video and tabletop gaming, reading
Clinical/Research Interests: Lifestyle Medicine in Rheumatology, Medical Education.
Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Medical School: Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña
Residency: Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Hobbies and Interests: Jogging, biking, hiking, cooking, finances, and learning new skills
Clinical/Research Interests: Vasculitis, extraatricular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis, intersection of rheumatology and primary care, and medical education.
Hometown: Fargo, ND
Medical School: University of Iowa
Residency: Medical College of Wisconsin
Hobbies and Interests: Reading and crafting, traveling, exploring, hiking, and skiing (basically everything) with my husband and two children.
2023- 2024 Fellows
 | Julia Chernis, MD |
 | Samuel Lazaroff, MD |
 | Christine Loftis, MD |
 | Daniele Marcy, MD University of Colorado School of Medicine
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 | Amarjyot Randhawa, MD Clinical Fellow Graduation Date: June 30, 2025 Clinical/Research Interests: Spondyloarthritis, asculitis, autoinflammatory diseases. Hometown: Amritsar, India Medical School: Government Medical College, Amritsar Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha Hobbies and Interests: Spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy yoga, dancing, gardening, and trying new cuisines |
 | Dave Defrancisco, MD |
 | Asim Mohamed, MD Clinical Fellow Graduation Date: June 30, 2024 Clinical/Research Interests: Efforts to Standardizing diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological diseases, safety and cost of using DMARDs & Immune modulator therapies in underserved populations, Myositis, SLE, RA and UCTD. Residency: Ascension St. John Hospital Hobbies and Interests: Sports including soccer, table tennis, bike riding, and beach volleyball. Acting in mini theatres and comedy shorts. Volunteering, Reading, teaching and revising for medical students and residents. Music and watching documentary shows. |
 | Yawen Ren, MD Clinical Fellow Graduation Date: June 30, 2024 Clinical/Research Interests: Scleroderma Hometown: Houston, Texas Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Residency: University of Texas Health Hobbies and Interests: Cooking - I like trying to recreate dishes from restaurants I've visited while traveling and while exploring the local area. Listening to movie recaps - I listen to movie recaps in Mandarin to practice the language. I enjoy experiencing multiple plot lines in a short span of time. Teaching my dog tricks - My newest project is teaching him to communicate with "words" via sound buttons. Keeping in touch with friends - I make time for phone calls to long-distance friends. |
 | Hunter Stone, MD |
Former Fellows
 | Corwin (Cory) McGee, MD Clinical Fellow Graduation Date: June 30, 2023 Hometown: Mobile, AL Medical School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado School of Medicine |
 | Smarika Sapkota, MD Clinical Fellow Graduation Date: June 30, 2023 Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal Medical School: Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences Residency: University of Minnesota Medical Center |
 | Rouhin Sen, MD Medical School: Creighton University Residency: Creighton University
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| Sonia Khatter, MD Clinical Fellow 2020-2022 |
| Trevor McKown, MD Clinical Fellow 2020-2022
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Hometown: Littleton, CO Medical School: University of Cincinnati Colorado School of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado |
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Hometown: Cali, Colombia Medical School: Universidad del Valle Residency: Billings Clinic |
 | Emily Bowers, MD Clinical Fellow, 2018- 2020 Community Rheumatologist, TriHealth Cincinnati, OH
Hometown: Edgewood, KY Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine Program |
 | Sarah Dill, MD Research Fellow, 2017- 2020 Academic and Community Rheumatologist Assistant Professor, Virginia Mason and Pacific Northwest University Yakima, WA
Hometown: Sunnyside, WA Medical School: University of Washington Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine Program |
 | Isaac Harley, MD, PhD Research Fellow, 2017- 2020 Academic Rheumatologist Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Aurora, CO
Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine Program |
 | Abo Mosa, MD Clinical Fellow, 2018- 2020 Rheumatology locum tenens
Hometown: Omdurman/Sudan Medical School: University of Kassala Sudan Residency: University of Texas Health Science/Tyler |
 | Heather Berens, MD, PhD Research Fellow, 2016- 2019 Community Rheumatologist, Colorado Arthritis Associates Lakewood, CO
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine Residency: University of Colorado Internal Medicine Program |
 | Daniel Erhardt, MD Clinical Fellow, 2017- 2019 Community Rheumatologist, Colorado Arthritis Center Lakewood, CO
Hometown: Brookfield, WI Medical School: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health Residency: University of Utah |
 | Kyle Maier, MD Clinical Fellow, 2017- 2019 Military Rheumatologist, United States Air Force San Antonio, TX
Hometown: Houston, TX Medical School: University of Texas at Houston (now McGovern Medical School) Residency: Wright State Internal Medicine |
| Melissa Griffith, MD Clinical Fellow, 2016- 2018 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado Aurora, CO | |
| Patrick Wood, MD Research Fellow, 2015- 2018 Community Rheumatologist Helena, MT | |
| Emily Pfeifer, MD Clinical Fellow, 2015- 2017 Community Rheumatologist, Colorado Center for Arthritis & Osteoporosis (CCAO) Longmont, CO | |
| Greg Barron, MD Clinical Fellow, 2015- 2017 Community Rheumatologist, Denver Arthritis Clinic Denver, CO | |
| Lindsay Kelmenson, MD Research Fellow, 2014- 2017 Community Rheumatologist, Rheumatology Care Center Hoover, AL | |
| Neha Ohri, MD Research Fellow, 2013- 2016 Academic Rheumatologist, Mt. Sinai New York, NY | |
| Anthony Kahr, MD Clinical Fellow, 2013- 2015 Community Rheumatologist Bend, OR | |
| Adam Bagley, MD Clinical Fellow, 2013- 2015 Community Rheumatologist Jacksonville, FL | |
| Itziar Quinzanos Alonso, MD Research Fellow, 2012- 2015 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado and Denver Health Denver, CO | |
| Christina Bright, MD Clinical Fellow, 2011- 2013 Community Rheumatologist Bend, OR | |
| Jennifer Stichman, MD Clinical Fellow, 2011- 2013 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado and Denver Health Denver, CO | |
| Joseph Nahas, MD Clinical Fellow, 2011- 2013 Academic Rheumatologist, Creighton University Omaha, NE | |
| Kristen Demoruelle, MD, PhD Research Fellow, 2010- 2013 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado Aurora, CO | |
| Robert Koval, MD Clinical Fellow, 2009- 2011 Community Rheumatologist Austin, TX | |
| Korey Ullrich, MD Clinical Fellow, 2009- 2011 Community Rheumatologist Boca Raton, FL | |
| Lisa Davis, MD Research Fellow, 2008- 2011 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado and Denver Health Denver, CO | |
| Kim Tyler, MD Clinical Fellow, 2008- 2010 Community Rheumatologist, Denver Arthritis Clinic Denver, CO | |
| Jason Kolfenbach, MD Research Fellow, 2007- 2010 Academic Rheumatologist, University of Colorado Aurora, CO | |