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Ali Al-Darobi, MD
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Medical School: Yarmouk University Faculty of Medicine, Jordan
Favorite Activities: Walking, cooking, and spending time with my daughter and family.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: Arizona is home to me. The community’s diversity offers a rich learning experience, and the program’s strong opportunities in fellowship, research, leadership, and teaching align with my goals. Plus, Arizona’s lifestyle and welcoming community make it a great place to live and train.
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Venkat Bhaskara, DO
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Bio: I grew up between Texas and New Jersey, attended college and medical school in Fort Lauderdale, and I’m excited to start this next chapter. Big fan of the Eagles, Texas Longhorns, and San Antonio Spurs. Outside the hospital I enjoy watching new shows, going to concerts, and exploring the area.
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Garrett Blatter, DO
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Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
Medical School: Midwestern University
Favorite Activities: Volleyball, pickleball, spending time with family, friends, and faith community.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: A great rotation experience here, desire to stay in Arizona, and the unique opportunity to contribute to a new residency program.
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Cody Chen, DO
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Undergraduate: University of Colorado Boulder
Medical School: Midwestern University – Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Activities: Golf, basketball, home improvement, board games, exploring new cities, playing with my dogs.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: Amazing interview experience, proximity to home, and a diverse patient population. I also wanted a program that emphasizes wellness, with support from family and friends nearby and Arizona’s great weather.
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Derrik Dotter, DO
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Undergraduate: Brigham Young University
Medical School: Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah
Favorite Activities: Baseball, birdwatching.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: The large, diverse patient population and faculty invested in my future and well-being, both in and out of medicine.
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Colby Erickson, DO
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Medical School: Midwestern University
Favorite Activities: Playing soccer with my wife, snowboarding when I can.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: I enjoy hospital medicine and plan to pursue fellowship (undecided). Building relationships and helping patients every day is deeply rewarding.
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Raha Ghadmazan, DO
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Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: Midwestern University – AZCOM
Favorite Activities: Time with family and friends, playing Catan, reading novels, cooking and baking, finding new restaurants/coffee shops.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: Supportive culture, strong academic foundation, and committed leadership. The open house affirmed this is a place to thrive. As part of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, the program offers excellent training, research, mentorship, and a structured curriculum supporting fellowship goals. The diverse Banner Desert patient population enriches learning and fosters compassionate, culturally competent care—especially meaningful as I continue serving the Arizona community I know and love.
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Travis Hanson, DO
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Undergraduate: Utah Tech University
Medical School: Rocky Vista University
Favorite Activities: Working on cars, making guitars, stargazing.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: I felt a strong sense of family and belonging while interviewing, paired with UArizona’s stellar academic reputation, a Level 1 trauma center, and a family-friendly East Valley location.
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Richard Huynh, DO
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Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (New Mexico)
Favorite Activities: Exploring local events and foodie spots, time with family and friends, traveling, caring for tropical plants, DIY/crafts.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: The program’s family-like atmosphere, community focus with strong academic medicine, and comprehensive training align with my desire to serve the Southwest. Returning to Banner—where my passion for medicine began—feels full-circle and meaningful.
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Jamil Jaber, MD
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Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Favorite Activities: Relaxing with family, enjoying good food; creative expression through art and entrepreneurship.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: I wanted an environment that values continuous learning, unconventional curiosity, and mentorship, with comprehensive, patient-centered training in a growing program.
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Jennifer Khong, DO
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Bio: Vietnamese American from Colorado, excited to begin IM residency at Banner Desert through the University of Arizona – Phoenix. Passionate about thoughtful, patient-centered care.
Interests: Hematology–Oncology.
Outside of Medicine: Time with family, learning new instruments, and new hobbies—most recently, bouldering.
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Alisa Liberman, DO
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Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Activities: Tennis, reading, listening to music.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: After a Meet & Greet and hospital tour, I felt leadership was excited to teach and support residents, with broad pathology and tertiary-care support—key factors in my decision.
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Cynthia Moreno, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Nevada, Reno
Medical School: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara
Favorite Activities: Ultra-running in the mountains, reading romance novels, eating good food.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: Excited to be part of the inaugural class and help shape the program’s culture, with supportive faculty who will advocate for me.
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Eshan Noori, MD
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Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Favorite Activities: Listening to music, watching movies/shows, gaming, visiting nature.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: A new residency backed by a strong academic sponsor offers a unique chance to help shape the program—an exciting dynamic I’m eager to join.
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Mohamed Reyad, MD
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Medical School: Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University (Cairo)
Favorite Activities: Time with family, watching movies and soccer.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: The program emphasizes resident wellness and work–life balance. Being part of the first class allows close interaction with attendings and the chance to help shape the program while building a strong IM foundation.
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Ana Aragon Sierra, MD
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Background/Training: MMC at ASU Cronkite; Mayo-trained; Harvard intern year.
Bio: Excited to be back in Arizona and begin IM residency at U of A – Banner Desert. Passionate about lifestyle medicine, patient education, and community engagement through volunteering, research, and journalism. Outside of medicine: salsa dancing, weightlifting, and time with loved ones.
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Austin Simmons, DO
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Undergraduate: B.S. & M.S. in Cell/Molecular Biology, Appalachian State University
Medical School: Campbell University School of Medicine (North Carolina)
Interests: Pulmonary research; holistic, relationship-centered care.
Favorite Activities: Live music, playing electric guitar, spending time outdoors.
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: Banner Desert is the ideal place for me to be my best self—inside and outside the hospital.
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Aubrey Walker, MD
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Medical School: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCL
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Michelle Anthony, MD
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Undergraduate: Arizona State University
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson
Favorite Activities: Reading, playing with my dog.
Track: Rural Track
Why University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Banner Desert Internal Medicine: I loved my rotation in Payson serving underserved communities and I’m excited to continue this work through the rural track.
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William McEntyre, DO
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Track: Rural Track
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