Celebrating Excellence: The University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine 2026 Resident Graduation Ceremony
On the evening of June 20th, the University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine gathered at The Grand America in Salt Lake City to celebrate Resident Graduation — one of the most meaningful evenings of the year.
The evening brought together faculty, staff, residents, fellows, and their families for a night of well-deserved recognition, heartfelt moments, and celebration. From department awards and chair recognitions to a resident roast, it was a fitting tribute to an extraordinary group of people.
Education Fellow Graduation
The evening included a special recognition of Education Fellow Dr. Flora Liu, MD, MEd, who completed her fellowship this year. Having also earned her Master of Education in Health Professions from the University of Vermont, Dr. Liu is heading to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for a Pediatric Anesthesia Fellowship. We are so proud of everything she has accomplished. Congratulations, Dr. Liu!
Department Awards
The evening continued with a celebration of resident excellence across a range of clinical specialties and contributions. Congratulations to all of this year's award winners:
Team Player, CA-1: Dr. Kaleb Christensen
Team Player, CA-2: Dr. Bre Stafford
Team Player, CA-3: Dr. Kelli Hicks (Scheinman)
Neuro Resident: Dr. Hannah Plocki
OB Resident: Dr. Hannah Plocki
APS Resident: Dr. Dennis Berry-Reiser
CPS Resident: Dr. Clay Gibb
CV Resident: Dr. Kelli Hicks (Scheinman)
Preop Clinic Resident: Dr. Jake Nyfeler
Liver Transplant Resident: Dr. Madison Crosby
Peds Resident: Dr. Christina Ruefener
Academic Award (Highest ITE Score): Dr. Jake Nyfeler
Resident of the Year: Dr. Jake Nyfeler
Medical Student Faculty Award: Dr. Flora Liu, MD, MEd
Faculty Awards
The evening also recognized outstanding faculty as selected by our residents — a meaningful tradition that highlights our amazing teachers and mentors:
CA-1 Seminar: Dr. Jake Pollard
CA-2 Seminar: Dr. Christian Guay
CA-3 Seminar: Dr. Nate Birgenheier
Best OR Teacher: Dr. Alistair Moody
Best Non-OR Teacher: Dr. John Pham
Best Role Model: Dr. Emilee Borgmeier
SIM Series Leader: Dr. Michelle Curtis
Congratulations to all of this year's Faculty Award recipients — and thank you for the exceptional teaching, mentorship, and dedication you bring to our residents every day.
Chair Awards
Department Chair Dr. Grace Lim presented our Inaugural Chair Awards, recognizing faculty and staff whose contributions and character were celebrated by colleagues across the entire department.
Research & Innovation: Dr. Derek Sakata
Clinical Practice Advancement: Dr. Charles Galaviz
Quality & Safety: Dr. Emilee Borgmeier
Teacher of the Year: Dr. Rachel Danowit
Teamwork Excellence: Dzenis Mehinovic, CRNA
Staff Achievement: Cory Willey
Congratulations to all of this year's Chair Award recipients — each one a reflection of the exceptional people who make this department what it is.
Honoring Dr. Steve Bott
One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was a heartfelt recognition of Dr. Steve Bott, who is retiring after an extraordinary 36 years of service to the University of Utah. Dr. Bott's journey with the U began in 1989 as an ICU and AirMed RN — a foundation that speaks to the depth of his commitment to patient care long before he ever stepped into an OR as an anesthesiologist. He went on to complete his anesthesiology residency here in 2002 and has been a beloved and integral part of our department ever since.
Thirty-six years of service, countless patients cared for, and generations of residents mentored and shaped. Dr. Bott's dedication, expertise, and warmth have left an indelible mark on this department and on everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside him. We wish him all the very best in this well-deserved next chapter.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Graduates
The evening closed with the presentation of our 2026 resident graduating class — a highlight of the night and a testament to the talent, dedication, and heart this program attracts. We are so proud of each and every one of them.
Dr. Onaje Artist — Originally from Miami Gardens, FL, Dr. Artist heads to private practice after graduation. His advice to those coming behind him: take it one day at a time.
Dr. Victoria Ashlock — Originally from New Orleans, LA, Dr. Ashlock joins Mountain West Anesthesia Group at IHC in Murray, UT for private practice — staying right here in Utah!
Dr. Dennis Berry-Rieser — A University of Utah homegrown physician, Dr. Berry-Rieser is staying right here at the U for a Fellowship in Regional and Acute Pain Medicine!
Dr. Madison Crosby — Originally from Sheridan, AR, Dr. Crosby heads to private practice in Steamboat Springs, CO.
Dr. John Geissinger — Originally from Stratford, WI, Dr. Geissinger joins Sanford Health in Bismarck, North Dakota as an anesthesiologist. His advice: work hard, stay humble, and don't put your life on hold for residency.
Dr. Scott Griffiths — Originally from West Jordan, UT, Dr. Griffiths heads to the Cleveland Clinic for a Cardiothoracic Fellowship — with plans to make his way back to Salt Lake City!
Dr. Kelli Hicks (Scheinman) — Originally from Fairbanks, AK, Dr. Hicks is staying right here at the U! She shares: "My favorite part of residency has been the incredible attendings I have learned from and been mentored by along the way."
Dr. Christopher Jones — Originally from Leeds, England, Dr. Jones heads to private practice with a possible fellowship on the horizon. A heartfelt thank you to his wife Monica for supporting the family through four years of residency!
Dr. Tracy Lian — Originally from Singapore, Dr. Lian heads to a Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship. She shares: "Home is not a place, but the people who fill my heart."
Dr. Theo Medling — Originally from Laguna Hills, CA, Dr. Medling heads to the University of Minnesota for an Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Fellowship.
Dr. Joshua Metcalf — Originally from St. Cloud, FL, Dr. Metcalf joins our own faculty here at the University of Utah Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine!
Dr. Ankita Mittal, MBBS, MD — Originally from Chandigarh, India, Dr. Mittal heads to Stanford for a Fellowship in Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM).
Dr. Jake Nyfeler — Originally from Marquette, MI, Dr. Nyfeler — our Resident of the Year — heads to the University of Wisconsin for a Cardiac Anesthesia Fellowship.
Dr. Nicholas Reid — Originally from Bountiful, UT, Dr. Reid heads to private practice at Intermountain Medical Center.
Dr. Daniella Vazquez — Originally from Miami, FL, Dr. Vazquez heads to the Texas Heart Institute for a Cardiac Fellowship. Her favorite part of residency? "The part when the surgeon says 'we are closing.'"
A heartfelt thank you to all of the faculty mentors and the Education Administrative Team for the care and dedication they pour into making this program exceptional year after year.
Here's to the Class of 2026 — we can’t wait to see all you accomplish in the years ahead!
