Select Resident Bios
Undergrad and Medical School:
University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I knew I wanted to go somewhere for residency that would foster my passion for medicine. I wanted to leave training still excited for fellowship and beyond, rather than desperate to cross the finish line. Utah Internal Medicine has turned out to be exactly that place. Utah's genuine culture of enthusiasm and wellbeing has left me only more motivated for a career in Hospital Medicine or Pulmonary & Critical Care. I'm particularly interested in the Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) revolution, which Utah IM is on the cutting edge of. Outside the hospital, Salt Lake City provides me with ample opportunities to pursue my passions of rock climbing and skiing, and to go hiking with my Golden Retriever Toby. The outdoor access coupled with the livability of a medium sized city have me planning to never leave. I can't emphasize enough how lucky I feel to be here.
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
I'd be a high school science teacher. I love teaching and science, and feel lucky to have a career that lets me combine the two already!
Undergrad and Medical School:
The College of William and Mary, Texas A&M College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I chose to train at the University of Utah because I wanted to work alongside people who love medicine and love to teach it. UoU has an awesome reputation for attracting the type of physician mentor I wanted to learn from. Additionally, being from Colorado, I wanted access to the great outdoors to keep up with my favorite hobbies.
Career interests:
Pulmonary Critical Care
Special interests in residency:
My current interests include point of care ultrasound (POCUS), pre-hospital EMS, and neglected tropical diseases. You can also find me at any Journal Club or Case Club.
Favorite SLC activities:
Trail running on City Creek near my apartment, skiing, and road biking
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Cafe Shambala (The Avenues), Stein Ericksen’s Lodge Buffett (Park City)
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
A filmmaker
Undergrad and Medical School:
Boston University and Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
University of Utah offers a training environment that is both supportive and vigorous while allowing trainees to maintain a healthy work-life balance! Trainees get the opportunity to train at three different healthcare delivery systems which offer insight into how healthcare is practiced and delivered in alternate settings from just an academic hospital. In addition, attendings are always willing to teach and support your career interests in any way possible. Finally, most importantly, you can ski while on call (as long as you have service!)
Career interests:
Cardiology
Special interests in residency:
Research, mentorship, and education.
Favorite SLC activities:
Hiking and Skiing!
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Wasatch Brewery
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
working in public health.
Undergrad/Medical School:
Santa Clara University, University of Utah School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
As a medical student here, I was able to witness the excellent training Utah provides. With its large catchment area, I knew I would be able to see a wide variety of pathologies in patients from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. I also found excellent mentors at Utah, and believe their continued support will ensure my success in residency and beyond.
Career Interests:
I am interested in a career as a clinician investigator, likely in primary care or geriatrics.
Special Interest in Residency:
I am a scholar in the Utah StARR program, which is a fantastic program that provides funded protected research time to residents at the University of Utah.
Favorite SLC activities:
Taking my two young kids to all the parks and fun children's activities in town.
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Takashi for sushi, Sicilia Mia anytime I'm craving Italian food, and Copper Common for tasty food and drinks.
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
a Jungian Psychologist
Undergrad and Medical School: Undergrad at North Dakota State University, Medical School at University of North Dakota School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I heard fantastic things about the U of U through an alumnus at my school. I then did an away rotation here in my 4th year which confirmed everything I had heard. The attendings and residents are eager to teach, welcoming and have a wealth of knowledge to pull on for patient care. I wanted a program that was rigorous and would challenge me to apply evidence-based medicine yet allowed for me to be active outside the hospital. I have found both to be true!
Career Interests:
outpatient IM or heme/onc
Special interests in residency:
road cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing
Favorite SLC activities:
road cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing
Favorite SLC restaurant:
The Copper Onion
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
a park ranger or athletic trainer
Undergrad/Medical School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Rush University
Why train at the University of Utah?
I was looking for a program that offered great clinical training while also promoting a balanced quality of life outside of the hospital. I was initially very drawn to all the outdoor adventures and activities here but also came to find on interview day that the residents and attendings were so welcoming and supportive, and I had a good feeling that I would really enjoy life here.
Career Interests:
heme/onc
Special Interest in Residency:
Global health and clinical education
Favorite SLC activities:
I have only been here a month but have done a lot of hikes so far that have been gorgeous! I am also very excited for ski season, and to try back-packing.
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Stoneground Italian
If I weren't a doctor, I'd be...
a Wedding Planner
Undergrad/Medical School:
Georgetown University
University of Utah SOM
Why train at the University of Utah?
I chose to stay in Utah because the people I met in medical school were kind, down to earth, and love to teach. I enjoy the rigorous, yet balanced training environment where I get to learn new skills every day but can also take care of my wellness. The large geographic catchment area of Utah, which spans across the intermountain region, was also a draw because we see a large scope of pathology as residents. Finally, the access to the outdoors is the absolute best and I love spending afternoons and days off in the wilderness with my co-residents.
Career Plans:
Undecided, but interested in general medicine, primary care, and hematology/oncology.
Special Interests in Residency:
Integrative health and nutrition, clinical research, and improving access to healthcare
Favorite SLC Activities:
Hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and exploring national parks
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Takashi
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
a travel blogger
Undergrad/Medical School:
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I chose the University of Utah because I wanted a rigorous academic program that would challenge me to become the best physician I can be. I wanted a program with a focus on a friendly, collaborative learning environment. The diversity of training sites provides ample opportunity for learning and research. The best part of all is the emphasis on self-care and work-life balance. Quick and easy access to the mountains here in SLC helps a lot with that too!
Career Interests:
Undecided, but I have interests in infectious diseases and rheumatology.
Special Interests in Residency:
I'm interested in getting involved with the Global Health and Underserved Track. I also have interests in improving my teaching skills and working with medical student at the free health clinics here in SLC.
Favorite SLC activities:
Hiking with my wife, pickleball, and Real Salt Lake MLS games! Also, looking forward to skiing in the winter.
Favorite SLC restaurant:
There's so many good ones here... I'll go with Pretty Bird for fried chicken, Oh Mai for Vietnamese food, and Finca for Spanish food.
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be…
a history professor
Undergraduate/Medical School
Marquette University
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
Utah offers a high-quality academic internal medicine program with opportunities for research and other scholarly activities. The faculty and staff are also incredibly supportive and friendly, making it enjoyable to go to work every day. Outside of work, you can always find fun things to do in Salt Lake City and the surrounding area whether it be hiking, going to farmers markets, listening to live music downtown, or trying a new restaurant!
Career Interests
I am currently interested in pursuing a fellowship in pulmonary critical care.
Special Interests in Residency
Now that I have settled into my role as an intern, I have begun looking for research opportunities in the areas of pulmonary and critical care medicine.
Favorite SLC Activities
My favorite activity is probably hiking in the beautiful mountains, especially the Wasatch National Forest, with my fellow interns and my puppy!
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...If I weren't a doctor, I probably would have followed in my parents' footsteps and entered into business. If my 7-year-old self could have chosen a career path, though, it would have been a scuba diver instructor in Hawaii.
Undergraduate/Medical School
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I found the University of Utah to have everything I could ask for in a residency program: happy and motivated residents, a supportive faculty, an abundance of academic resources, and outdoor activities galore with the mountains and national parks in our backyard.
Career Interests
I currently have an interest in critical care medicine, but am eager to explore other fields in residency.
Special Interests in Residency
I’m passionate about medical education and global health and would love to be involved with these fields during my residency and beyond.
Favorite SLC Activities
All that the mountains have to offer (hiking in summer, skiing in winter) and rooting for the Jazz
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...A high school football coach/Science or PE teacher
Undergraduate/Medical School
UT Austin
McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Why train at the University of Utah?
Everyone is happy and nice because they have a good life inside and outside of the hospital and the program clearly cares about each of their residents. Most importantly, you can go hiking or skiing the same day you were at work!
Career Interests
Pulmonary and critical care, GI, interventional pulmonology, clinical/translational research
Special Interests in Residency
Humanities and ethics in medicine, public health engagement, learning how to be a doctor
Favorite SLC Activities
Skiing/ski touring
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...A chef or a college professor.
Undergraduate/Medical School
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
Prior to sending off ERAS last year, my partner and I spent time outlining many of the things we hoped to find in both residency program and location. The University of Utah and SLC was the only program to check every box on our list--emphasis on clinical education, the possibility for strong research and career mentors across multiple specialties, residents (and faculty!) with passions outside of the hospital, and a growing city with great housing options for us to settle down comfortably with our two dogs (Duke and Harper). Two months into intern year and I can confidently say that all of these boxes remain checked. I come home nearly every day telling my partner that I never want to leave!
Career Interests
Cardiology! Be sure to check out some of our cardiologists on twitter. It's a great way to get some early insight into interesting research topics here at the U of U and beyond!
Special Interests in Residency
I'm interested in #MedEd, cardiovascular research, and quality improvement. Although I'm a freshly minted intern here, I've already received great guidance from the program and faculty on these pursuits. For example, Dr. Jack Morshedzadeh, our Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Director, was incredibly approachable. Despite me reaching out to him during the beginning of fellowship application season (what I assume is an insanely busy time), he was happy to schedule time to discuss research and career planing with me. To have people step in early to guide you and invest their time in your interests and growth means so much.
Favorite SLC Activities
Rock climbing! Having been a climber for over 20 years, I find myself constantly overwhelmed by the volume and quality of nearby climbing areas. And *big* FYI here...many of the climbing areas (and hiking/ski areas) are within cell service range. This makes from some great adventuring when on call! Feel free to message me about anything climbing/outdoor sports related. Additionally, my partner is not in healthcare and from Austin, Texas originally. Feel free to reach out if you are looking for perspectives from non-med/non-Utahns!
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...A high school history teacher...hopefully living in SLC!
Social Media
Instagram: @Ethan.AK1