Select Resident Bios
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/Graduate School/Medical School:
University of Michigan
University of Michigan School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
All of the faculty, trainees, and staff I met during the interview were friendly and were happy to be at the University of Utah. I loved the mix of wide clinical pathology offered by such an expansive catchment area, support for pursuing research, and of course, the unparalleled access to nature. It is hard to compete with world class medicine and world class hiking or skiing within 30 minutes of each other!
Career Interests:
I intend to pursue a career in academic medicine, and am currently interested in cardiology and general internal medicine. I have a background in clinical trial design, and I hope to better leverage available data to improve risk detection and therapeutic decision-making.
Special Interests 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:
Anything outside; there is a great group of folks in our cohort, and someone is always down to do something outside, whether that is hiking, climbing, or sitting and enjoying some of the local craft brews. One of my favorite aspects about where we are located is that you can do a casual trail walk for a few miles, or ascend over 4000ft 10 minutes from each other.
Favorite SLC restaurant:
Pretty Bird Chicken (awesome Nashville hot chicken sandwiches), Mazza (middle eastern food), and Spitz (Mediterranean street food super tasty döner kebabs). I love to eat, I could keep going…
Social Media
Twitter: @AlexanderZheut1
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
Undergrad/Medical School
Saint Michael’s College
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I chose to train at the UofU because I love the value everyone places on being happy here--both inside and outside of the hospital. The broad variety of pathology that we get to see from our large patient population, the expertise and knowledge we get from being an academic center, and the opportunity to train in three distinct healthcare systems makes the U of U a special place. The access to nature during any season in Salt Lake City is unreal. Skiing, hiking, biking, camping, and climbing are all just 30 minutes away!
Career Interests
I am interested in a career in academic medicine in rheumatology. Getting connected with mentors early in residency has been a great way to explore the specialty and get research experience.
Special Interests in Residency
I have an interest in point-of-care ultrasound.
Favorite SLC Activities
My favorite activity outside of the hospital is skiing! Being able to get to world-class resorts before or after work has been an incredible way to maintain a good balance during residency.
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
... I'd probably be a nature guide.
Undergrad/Medical School
Youngstown State University
Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I was looking for a program that offered great all-around training with a track record of solid fellowship matches, as well as a program that had abundant resources but whose community felt like that of a small hospital. This program ended up ticking all of those boxes, with the added benefit that the city offers a vast amount of things to do, as well as access to some of the best snow sports you will find in the country
Career Interests
Ultimately undecided but working on choosing between hospital medicine and Pulmonary/Critical Care with a focus on General Pulmonology.
Special Interests in Residency
After getting exposure to our fantastic Metabolic and Obesity Clinic (MOC), I realized how many routes we have to help people lose weight and become healthier, which has become a daily focus when in my primary care clinic
Favorite SLC Activities
Current pick for favorite restaurant would be O’Falafel (especially their mena’ish za’atar), but also shout out to HSL for being awesome.
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...Likely be a pilot since any band I would be a part of would inevitably fail
Social Media
Instagram: @austinpoth
Undergrad/Medical School
University of Texas at Austin
Texas Tech University HSC, School of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
I chose Utah because it’s a strong academic program with great fellowship opportunities in an unbelievably beautiful city. The camaraderie among residents and faculty, the excellent training, and being able to ski 30+ days out of the year made the decision to come here easy.
Career Interests
I am interested in doing a fellowship in pulmonary/critical care. My specific pulmonary interest is in pulmonary hypertension.
Special Interests in Residency
I’m part of the Global Health and Underserved Track where I hope to do an international elective during my PGY-3 year.
Favorite SLC Activities
Favorite winter activity is spending the day out skiing with co-residents. Favorite summer activity is paddle boarding at the many nearby lakes and reservoirs.
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...A travel blogger…or probably more realistically an engineer of some sort.
Social Media
Instagram: @haley_belt (follow me!)
Undergrad/Medical School
Duke University
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Why train at the University of Utah?
This program provides rigorous training which gives me confidence that I will be well-prepared to handle anything wherever I end up practicing. I'm strongly considering moving back to Oklahoma and practicing in a setting where I won't be in a big hospital system with a lot of support, and it was important to me to pick a program where I know I will see a wide enough variety of pathology to feel comfortable in that environment. At the same time, I really think this program is full of some of the best people in medicine, and that includes both faculty and co-residents. You spend the vast majority of your time at work during residency and I'm so glad to have found some lifelong friends (and their families!) through this program.
Career Interests
TBD (possibly forever). Currently thinking about primary care, palliative care, geriatrics, or rheumatology. So probably primary care...
Special Interests in Residency
Currently working on a QI project aimed at avoiding over-treating diabetes in geriatrics patients. To be honest I used to dread quality improvement in medical school but the VA chiefs do a great job of making it approachable and if you find a topic you're actually interested in it's much easier to invest.
Favorite SLC Activities
Too hard to choose just one. Overall I've loved getting to try so many new things - backpacking, trail running, cross country skiing, national parks touring, paddle boarding. Like a lot of my co-residents getting outdoors is my main outlet and I can't imagine my residency experience without having easy access to all of these things. This has played a huge part in keeping me happy and healthy through the tough stretches.
If I weren’t a doctor, I’d be...
...NFL statistician
Social Media
Instagram: @maddieosul
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