Our People
Internal Medicine Residency Program 2022
Our faculty members make up the largest department at UI Health Care. We are a department rich in tradition and long on talent in our important mission of teaching, caring, and discovering new understandings in medicine. As teachers and mentors, our goal is to bring out your best as a physician.
Your fellow residents are, just like you, dedicated to rewarding and meaningful careers in the practice of medicine. They come to Iowa from around the world, drawn here by a comprehensive training program, outstanding work environment, and the prospect of practice opportunities and further training afforded by their experiences here.
Our patients are also part of the training equation. They come to University of Iowa Health Care to receive the very best care from experts who are passionate about delivering it in a personable way. As Iowa’s only academic medical center, we see a comprehensive mix of challenging cases and have the privilege to work with many cultures and languages.
Chief Residents
Rachel Anderson, MD
University of Minnesota
rachel-l-anderson@uiowa.edu
My passion for internal medicine ignited during Morning Report in my third year of medical school. Watching the Chief Residents expertly guide a diverse group of learners, from first-time medical students to seasoned third-year residents preparing for fellowships, was truly inspiring. The process of clinical reasoning, from initial workup to final diagnosis, captivated me. To advance my own skills, I immersed myself in podcasts and diagnostic dilemma cases. I find great joy in discussing clinical cases and challenging my own thinking, and I look forward to a career in medical education where I can share this passion with others while continuing to learn and grow in the field of medicine.
The University of Iowa was the last program I interviewed at for residency, and it immediately felt like home. During my interview, Dr. Andy Bryant spoke passionately about resident education and shared his favorite spots to walk his dogs. Dr. Manish Suneja’s warmth and genuine interest during our virtual interview made me feel welcomed and valued. These interactions have only grown more meaningful throughout my residency.
Growing up in Northern Minnesota, I am one of the few who can claim that Iowa’s weather is significantly warmer than what I was used to. However, it is the people who truly make this program special. The incredible support, care, and clinical training I’ve experienced over the past three years have been invaluable. Serving as Chief Resident is an honor, allowing me to continue fostering the culture of excellence and support that defines our program.
Outside of work, you can find me hiking or running with my dog, Nala, or exploring local restaurants in search of the best fries in Iowa City. After my Chief year, I plan to pursue a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine and a career as a clinician educator.
Marie Finkbeiner, MD
University of Washington
marie-finkbeiner@uiowa.edu
I remember coming to Iowa City for the first time a few days before my intern orientation started. It was humid and overcast, very different than the dry heat of the Idaho summers I had grown up with.
The transition to a new place felt all too familiar. I had spent the last 2 years moving every 4 to 6 weeks for rotations in medical school at the University of Washington, a practice we lovingly described as “safari-ing.” Through this, I had the opportunity to see healthcare through many difference lenses—emergency medicine in Anchorage to rural full spectrum family medicine in Eastern Washington. But coming to Iowa felt different, like I was finally settling down.
Going through medical school, I had imagined what interviewing for residency would look like. I pictured myself in a nice suit, traveling around the country, touring hospitals and shaking hands with program directors as I nervously tried to find a program where I belonged. The world had other plans and instead I found myself sitting in front of my computer trying to connect (literally and metaphorically) with people across the country.
Part of why I wanted to be a Chief Resident was because of my interaction with people from this program on that interview day. The warmth, kindness, and genuineness of their character created an environment I felt safe to grow into the physician I wanted to become. Throughout my 3 years training here, this has held steadfast. Whether it be on the wards or in didactics, I’ve always been met with a nurturing hand to guide me in my growth as a person and doctor.
Over the three years I trained here, I have seen firsthand how the program bends and molds to best suit the needs and wants of the residents that occupy it. My goal as recruitment chief is to help create an environment where residents and the program can grow together, opening up an inviting space for new physicians who will join our family in the coming recruitment year. I intend to accomplish this by promoting transparency within the residency, actively listening to resident ideas and concerns and being open to creative solutions.
Luke Morrey, MD
University of Minnesota
luke-morrey@uiowa.edu
Growing up in Rochester, MN, a community renowned for its medical excellence, instilled in me a profound respect for the field of medicine. I pursued my undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Saint John’s University in central Minnesota, where my fascination with the complexity of human physiology grew stronger, guiding me toward a career in medicine.
My decision to specialize in internal medicine was solidified during my clerkship rotation at the University of Minnesota Medical School. It was there that I encountered many inspirational chief residents whose clinical skills and dedication to teaching left a mark on me. I was drawn to the University of Iowa during the first-ever round of virtual interviews for residents. I knew the program’s culture was the perfect fit for me.
During my residency at the University of Iowa, I have been fortunate to see many outstanding previous chief residents who have continually demonstrated the importance of enhancing the educational mission of our program. Their mentorship and leadership has prepared me for this role. As Chief Resident, I am committed to continuing our new simulation curriculum, which provides residents with hands-on, practical experience in a controlled environment. Additionally, I plan to further develop our didactic curriculum that emphasizes clinical reasoning, equipping residents with the critical thinking skills necessary for effective patient care. Looking ahead, I am excited about pursuing a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care, with a long-term goal of a career in academic medicine.
Outside of my professional life, I am dedicated to training as an amateur competitive power lifter, a pursuit that teaches me discipline, resilience, and smart goal-setting. I don’t do any cardio, but I chase my two-year-old around the park too, so I think that counts. He is a constant source of joy and motivation. Balancing my personal and professional responsibilities has enriched my life and provided me with a well-rounded perspective that I bring to my role as Chief Resident. I look forward to leading our excellent internal medicine residents.
Lauren Zabel, MD
University of Kansas
lauren-zabel@uiowa.edu
I’ve lived in the Midwest my whole life, but that wasn’t necessarily the plan. I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, and attended medical school at the University of Kansas in Kansas City. When it came time to apply for residency, I was set on leaving the Midwest. I was encouraged by mentors to apply to Iowa, but it wasn’t on my radar until interview day. After my interview I remember closing my laptop and thinking “this is my program,” and It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
These past three years of residency have challenged me academically, professionally, and personally, but they’ve also been the best three years of my adult life. I’ve had the fortune of training in a program surrounded by leadership, staff, and colleagues that have supported me from day one and treated me like family. I’ve formed some of the best and closest friendships that I know will be lifelong. I’ve been a part of countless shenanigans with my “Y-week crew” (co-residents on the same clinic rotation schedule) including laser tag, ice skating, pumpkin carving, hatchet throwing, chicken catching, and much more.
I applied to be Chief Resident because I wanted to be a part of a program that has done so much for me. During my year as Chief Resident in Quality and Safety (CRQS), I want to promote resident involvement and education in quality improvement and patient safety, so residents will be better prepared to face these issues as a graduate. I also hope to promote our growing palliative care and Distinction in Health Equity (DIHE) education curricula. At the end of my chief year, I plan to complete additional training in palliative care fellowship.
1st Year Class
Noor-Us-Sabah Ahmad, MD
King Edward Medical University
Prelim-Ophthalmology
Aiah Alatoum, MBBS
Yarmouk University
Prelim
Mohad Awan, MD, MPH
University of Iowa
Greta Becker, MD
University of Iowa
PSTP
Madison Bellamy, MD
University of Missouri - Columbia
Zack Bracken, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Hailey Briseno, MD
University of Washington
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Mahmoud Dibas, MBBS
Sulaiman Alrajhi College of Medicine
(Neurology)
Paolo Disano, MD
California Northstate University
Emily Entz, MD
University of Washington
James Eyer, MD
Meharry Medical College
(Neurology)
Kirsten Fiestan, MD
University of Michigan
Ella Gehrke, MD
University of Iowa
Prelim - Ophthalmology
Sahand Golestan, MD
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
(Neurology)
Halimah Hamidu-Egiebor, MD
Central Michigan University
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Jacob Heath, MD
Brown University
Nic Heckenlaible, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Prelim - Ophthalmology
Trevor Hoggan, MD
University of Utah
Matthew Horner, MD
University of Kansas
Jennifer Houser, MD
Southern Illinois University
Shane Hursh, MD
University of Kansas School of Medicine
(Neurology)
Amanda Janquart, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
(Neurology)
Karen Johns, MD
Albany Medical College
Trey Krupp, MD
University of Iowa
Aubri Larson, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Eleazar Luevano, MD
University of Oklahoma - Tulsa
Kyle Luo, MD
University of Kentucky
Caitlin Mechtly, MD
Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Thomas Meram, MD
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Prelim - Ophthalmology
Michael Miller, MD
University of Missouri - Columbia
Anika Mittal, MD
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Stacy Moroz, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Prelim
Michaela Norbury, MD
University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita
(Neurology)
Grant Ozaki, MD
University of Nebraska
Tim Porsche, MD
Indiana University School of Medicine
(Neurology)
Zoe Ryan, MD
University of Minnesota
Peter Sanchez
University of Iowa
Prelim - Ophthalmology
Trevor Simmons, MD
University of Illinois College of Medicine
(Neurology)
Juno Sung, MD
University of Iowa
Lauren Tomlinson, MD
Albany Medical College
Prelim - Ophthalmology
Patrick Vosters, MD
Medical College of Wisconsin
2nd Year Class
Joe Berei, MD
University of Illinois – Rockford
Calie Brownlee, MD
University of Arkansas
Cameron Brownlee, MD
University of Arkansas
Stefano Byer, MD, MS
University of Kansas
San Chandra, MD
University of South Dakota
Amanda Chang, MD
University of Iowa
Nick Coffey, MD, MS
University of Kentucky – Bowling Green
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Katrina Dovalovsky, MD
University of Illinois – Rockford
Usamah ElBakkush, MD
University of Washington
Alex Greiner, MD, PhD
University of Iowa
PSTP
Mash Haque, MD
Saint Louis University
Casey Hardin, MD
University of Nebraska
Cole Howie, MD
University of Arkansas
Alp Kahveci, MD
University of Missouri – Columbia
Rachel Lee, MD
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
Austin Mallory, MD, MS
University of Colorado
Urvashi Mathur, MD
University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley
Dylan Miks, MD
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Megan Napier, MD
University of Washington
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Pranav Puri, MD
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - Arizona
Maluki Radford, MD
University of Kansas – Wichita
Rob Schoeneich, MD
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
Trisha Slehria, MD
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
Carlie Sorensen, MD
University of Washington
Katrina Soyangco, MD
University of Illinois – Rockford
Quinn Vatland, MD
University of Wisconsin
3rd Year Class
Grace Alexander, MD
Rush Medical College
Tristan Bakerink, MD
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Adam Blaine, MD
University of Washington
James Burton, MD
University of Louisville
Paige Carlson, MD
University of Minnesota
Hunter Frederiksen, MD
University of Utah
Lakshmi Guduguntla, MD
Wayne State
Brittnee Haynes, DO
Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Darlene Julian, MD
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Monica Knaack, MD
University of Iowa
Tyler Maggio, MD
Southern Illinois University
Taryn Nishimura, MD
University of Iowa
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Kimiya Nourian, MD
University of Utah
Marcus Osman, MD
University of North Dakota
Joe Phillips, MD
Georgetown University
Zeke Quittner-Strom MD
University of Texas San Antonio
Alyssa Ray, MD
Southern Illinois University
Natalie Ross, MD
University of Iowa
Joe Salomone, MD, PhD
University of Cincinnati
PSTP
Ashten Sherman, MD
University of Iowa
PSTP and StARR Scholar
Laurel Smeins, MD
University of Iowa
Mike Tabet, MD
University of Vermont
Megan Vree, MD
University of Iowa
Mackenzie Walhof, MD
University of Iowa
Patrick Watson, MD
Indiana University
Alice Xu, MD
University of Cincinnati
4th and 5th Year Classes
Sarah Little, MD
West Virginia University – Charleston
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Shivali Patel, MD
Rush University
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Antony Gout, MD (R4)
University of Iowa
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Alicia Kilian, MD (R4)
University of Minnesota
(Medicine-Psychiatry)
Department Contacts
For information regarding Categorical and Preliminary Programs contact:
Cindy K. Batzkiel
Program Administrator
Department of Internal Medicine
200 Hawkins Dr., E326-2 GH
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: (319) 356-2034
FAX: (319) 384-8955
Email: intmedres@uiowa.edu
Abbey Gilpin
Associate Program Administrator
Department of Internal Medicine
200 Hawkins Dr., E321 GH
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: (319) 384-7093
FAX: (319) 384-8955
Email: intmedres@uiowa.edu
Stacy Sueppel
Program Coordinator
Department of Internal Medicine
200 Hawkins Dr., E323 GH
Iowa City, IA 52242
Phone: (319) 384-9668
FAX: (319) 384-8955
Email: intmedres@uiowa.edu
Residency Program Administration
Manish Suneja, MD
Vice Chair for Education
Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Andrew Bryant, MD
Associate Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Brian K. Gehlbach, MD
Associate Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Krista Johnson, MD
Associate Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Justin Smock, MD
Associate Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Mark C. Wilson, MD, MPH
Associate Dean, Graduate Medical Education
Department of Internal Medicine
Jenny Strouse, MD
Assistant Director, Residency Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Carly Kuehn, MD
Educational Director, Safety and Quality
Department of Internal Medicine
Matt Soltys, MD, MME
Mentor, VA Safety and Quality
Department of Internal Medicine
Jane S. Rowat, BS, MS
Education Development Director
Department of Internal Medicine
Medicine-Psychiatry Program
Andrea Weber, MD, MME
Director, Medicine-Psychiatry Residency Program
Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry
Vicki J. Kijewski, MD
Associate Director, Medicine-Psychiatry Residency Program
Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry
Physician Scientist Training Pathway (PSTP)
David Stoltz, MD, PhD
Director, Physician Scientist Training Program
Department of Internal Medicine
Chair and Department Executive Officer
This is an extraordinary time in your life, a transition that marks the beginning of a crucial new period in your professional career and in your personal experience. When I went about interviewing for and choosing my residency, I was a bit anxious but mostly very excited. I knew it would be hard work, but I looked forward to the challenge as I am sure you do now.
I sincerely believe that you stand at the beginning of one of the most exciting times in the history of medicine. After decades of research in human disease we have begun to see a novel array of new therapies that will rapidly expand in the near future. The Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa has contributed in countless ways to this new world of discovery, remedy, and hope. As interim chair of the department, my goal is to ensure that we remain in the forefront not just of change but of important science, meaningful education, and the best patient care available anywhere -- all of this in a stimulating environment of cultural and intellectual diversity.
Among my highest priorities is to see that our residency program continues in its position as one of the premier programs in the nation. Dr. Manish Suneja and his team spearhead this effort, maintaining a training curriculum and a learning environment that thoroughly prepares you for the next level in your career. At the same time, we are committed to helping you learn how to preserve a meaningful balance between work and home, a skill that will shape every part of your life.
I foresee tremendous growth and unlimited possibilities in internal medicine at Iowa, and I urge you to join us in Iowa City. In this remarkable and heterogeneous community, you'll find the breadth, depth, and diversity of patients and world-renowned and caring faculty and staff, and outstanding facilities to make your education a success. Look over our website, visit Iowa City, and compare us with other programs. Don't hesitate to contact Dr. Suneja or me if you have questions about Iowa City or about internal medicine at the University of Iowa.
Upinder Singh, MD
Chair & Department Executive Officer
Department of Internal Medicine
Professor of Medicine
Internal Medicine Faculty
By Division
Cardiovascular Medicine
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Gastroenterology-Hepatology
General Medicine
Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Immunology (formerly the Divisions of Allergy-Immunology and Rheumatology)
Infectious Diseases
Nephrology and Hypertension
Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine
Program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology