Department of Neurosurgery

Current Residents

	Frank Bishop, M.D. PGY-6 Undergraduate: University of Washington Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin Frank Bishop is from Seattle, WA. He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Washington, with degrees with honors in mathematics and biology and attended the Medical College of Wisconsin. He is pursuing a fellowship in spine at the Cleveland Clinic. Outside interests include photography, traveling, outdoors, and spending time with family.
	Brad Duhon, M.D. PGY-6 Undergraduate: Texas A&M University Medical School: University of Texas at Houston Brad was born and raised in Texas. He received a BS with honors in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and completed Medical School at the University of Texas at Houston. He plans to go into private practice in Texas after completing his residency. Brad's outside interests include water skiing as well as hunting, fishing and hiking.
	Toba N. Niazi, M.D. PGY-6 Undergraduate: Towson University Medical School: University of Maryland Toba grew up in the DC metro area and received her BS from Towson University and received her medical degree from the University of Maryland Medical School in Baltimore. She plans to pursue a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery after completing her residency. Toba's outside interests include visiting her husband in Pittsburgh, travelling to tropical islands, yoga and running.
	Valerie Coon, M.D. PGY-5 Undergraduate: University of California Davis Medical School: Stanford University Dr. Coon is a native of Northern California, having lived in Sacramento and the SF Bay Area. She received her B.S. with honors in Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at UC Davis and completed her M.D. at Stanford University. Her neurosugical interests include epilepsy, tumors, and pediatric neurosurgery. Valerie's outside interests include judo, skiing, and learning golf.
	Chad Cole, M.D., MSc PGY-5 Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Medical School: University of Utah Dr. Cole is originally from Preston, Idaho. He attended college at Brigham Young University, where he received a bachelor's degree in nursing. He developed an interest in neurosurgery while working in the intensive care unit. After obtaining a master's degree in cellular biology/neurosciences and completing two years of postgraduate research in Canada, he enrolled in medical school at the University of Utah. Currently, Chad has broad interests in neurosurgery. Outside interests include golfing with his sons, mountain biking, waterskiing, wakeboarding and simply spending time with his family.
	Janet Lee, M.D. PGY-5 Undergraduate: University of California Los Angeles Medical School: University of California San Francisco Dr. Lee was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She received a BS with honors and an MS in Physiological Science at UCLA. She attended medical school at UCSF where she completed a Doris Duke Clinical Research fellowship. She is interested in a academic career in neuro- oncology and clinical research. Outside of the hospital, Janet enjoys travelling the world, playing with her nephews, interior decorating, and adventure sports.
	Ramin Eskandari, M.D. PGY-4 Undergraduate: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI Medical School: Wayne State University, Detroit MI Dr. Eskandari grew up in southeastern Michigan and received his bachelors in science in Biology at the University of Michigan. After college Ramin lived in Switzerland while working at a sports camp for kids. This was followed but two more years of international travel while receiving his Master’s in Medical Science. He participated in research projects in artificial vision and hydrocephalus. Ramin’s neurosurgical interests are pediatrics and research interests include hydrocephalus, epilepsy and artificial neuromodulators. His outside interests include international travel at every chance, outdoor photography, mountain biking and snowboarding.
	Michael Mumert, M.D. PGY-3 Undergraduate: Evangel University Medical School: University of Kansas Dr. Mumert grew up in Topeka, Kansas. He completed his M.D. at the University of Kansas and is proud to be a Kansas Jayhawk. Michael’s undergraduate education took him to Evangel University. While there, he was a pitcher for the baseball team and also completed a BS with honors in Biology. His current neurosurgical interests are broad. Outside interests include supporting the Kansas City Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawks. Michael also enjoys playing sports, snowboarding and traveling with his wife.
	Christina Sayama, M.D. PGY-3 Undergraduate: UC San Diego Medical School: University of Utah Tina was born and raised in San Jose, California and is the third of five girls in her family. She attended the University of California, San Diego for her undergaduate education and recieved a bachelors degree in Bio-engineering with a minor in history. She then spent a year between undergraduate and medical school teaching kindergarten and travelling interntaionally before starting medical school at the University of Utah. During medical school, she loved being involved in numerous community outreach programs and has a desire to work with underserved populations. Her current neurosurgical interests include pediatrics, functional, and neuro-oncology. Outside of the hospital, Tina enjoys snowboarding, spending time with her family and friends, hiking, eating, volleyball, scuba diving, travelling the world, and extreme sports (like Zorbing, sky diving and river surfing in New Zealand).
	Sarah Garber, M.D. PGY-2 Undergraduate: University of Chicago Medical School: University of Vermont Sarah was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago and then spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa before completing medical school at the University of Vermont. Her neurosurgical interests include pediatrics and vascular surgery and she plans to spend some time operating in underdeveloped countries as well. Outside interests include snowboarding, running, and spending time with friends.
	Christian Bowers, M.D. PGY-1 Undergraduate: University of Denver Medical School: Georgetown Christian is a Salt Lake City native and is thrilled to be training near all of his family and friends in the Wasatch Front. During college, he played division I soccer at the University of Denver. He was invited to try out with Real Salt Lake before he decided to attend medical school. He also took two years off to serve a two-year church mission as a Spanish-speaking missionary in Chicago's Southside. Christian graduated from University of Denver with a B.A. in Spanish and Biology. During medical school, he served a medical mission in the Dominican Republic and hopes to use neurosurgery to participate in international health. His hobbies include hiking, running, biking, all sports, and spending time with his wife and family.
	Ricky Kalra, M.D. PGY-1 Undergraduate: Rice University Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis Ricky was born in Germany but considers himself a Texan since he finished high school and college there. He received his B.A. with honors in Economics at Rice University. He completed his medical education in St. Louis at Washington University. His neurosurgical interests include brain tumors and spinal deformity. Ricky's outside interests include cooking, golfing and winter sports.