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Jacqueline Alvarez, MD
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Undergraduate: Northeastern Illinois University
Medical School: University of Illinois-Chicago
Favorite Activities: Trying new restaurants, catching up on shows/movies, spending quality time with friends and family, and, at times, a little retail therapy
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Heading into this past virtual interview season, I was concerned about “finding the one” — the one program that matched my goals in training to become a clinically excellent and compassionate physician. Although I was thousands of miles away in Chicago, I knew during my interview day that this was the program for me. I was excited to see that this program has a strong, well-rounded curriculum that cultivates the personal and professional growth needed during residency and beyond. As a Latina physician and Chicago native, I appreciated this program’s commitment to underserved populations and its dedication to training the next generation of physicians that will better advocate and empower our marginalized communities. I chose University of Arizona-Phoenix because of the strong commitment and accountability they have to their patients, their communities, and to each other. As an added bonus, I am excited that I get to complete my medical residency under the endlessly sunny skies of Arizona!
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Robert Arend, MD
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Undergraduate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Medical School: University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Favorite Activities: Running, hiking, walking our dog, watching Pittsburgh or UNC sports (Go Heels!), playing piano, exploring new places, eating all the foods
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose this program because it offers strong, full-spectrum training with an emphasis and commitment to caring for underserved populations. Despite my interview season being entirely virtual, I could sense the powerfully supportive and encouraging learning environment cultivated by truly inspirational faculty and residents. I believe that by coming to Phoenix, I will be able to follow my passions and become the best doctor I can be. Plus, Arizona has so much natural beauty to explore from the mountains in and around Phoenix, the forests in Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon and so much more!
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Elizabeth Braunreuther, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Medical School: New York Medical College
Favorite Activities: Learning film photography, taking care of my plants, enjoying a good beer outside with friends and family
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I was really drawn to this program because of the people. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, starting at the AAFP National Conference (make sure you go!) and on through interview season. All of the residents and faculty spoke so highly of the program and living in Phoenix. I loved the program’s focus on evidence-based medicine, and I enjoyed hearing about resident experiences exploring their interests within family medicine. I’m really looking forward to getting to know Phoenix, my fellow residents and my patients!
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Kayla Caruso, MD
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Undergraduate: University of New Mexico
Medical School: University of New Mexico, School of Medicine
Favorite Activities: Exploring local coffee shops and restaurants, taking pictures of my pets, hiking, traveling, playing board games with family/friends, journaling
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was looking for a new adventure for residency. I loved the open skies and endless sunshine of my home state and knew I wanted to stay in the Southwest. After my interview with the program, I realized the College of Medicine – Phoenix was the right place for me! With a strong focus on community medicine and advocacy, and opportunities in Palliative Medicine and Behavioral Health, this program had everything I wished for in my training. Plus, the faculty and residents created an inspiring, welcoming environment (even virtually!) that already made me feel at home. I’m excited to join an incredible group of residents and faculty and explore all that Arizona has to offer.
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Sarthak Garg, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Medical School: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Favorite Activities: I enjoy hanging out with friends, listening to music, watching movies, playing card, board and video games, cooking, as well as eating.
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I was initially interested in the program for its wide scope of training opportunities with commitment to underserved populations in an academic center with excellent, creative opportunities for leadership in family medicine through advocacy and the AAFP podcast. What really sold me on the program was the interactions I have had with faculty and residents and the genuine, happy relationships I saw between the two. It truly is a supportive environment and community, which I can’t wait to join!
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Ione Locher, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Chicago
Medical School: University of Michigan
Favorite Activities: Hiking, yoga, salsa, cooking and baking and then eating, hanging with my puppy Oona, and a hobby I’m hoping to pick up is pottery!
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I grew up in Tucson and still feel very certain that Tucson is one of the best cities anywhere! So I’m very excited to be coming back to Arizona after my 10-year stint in the Midwest. I’m also looking forward to completing my Family Medicine training at an academic residency program with lots of great opportunities to care for underserved populations across the state of Arizona! Our program director, Dr. Brown, told me to expect a program “deeply grounded in the local context,” and I can’t wait to experience all of it!
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Jessi McMinn, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Favorite Activities: Climbing, camping, running, sports, family and pup time, hiking, cooking
Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I was born and raised outside of Phoenix, so it is a joy to be back in a familiar place and near family. During my interview, I had a strong sense of connection with the people I spoke with and felt like my training under people like Dr. Brown and Dr. Goto would be invaluable. This program offers the flexibility to seek out training that allows you to become the doctor you want to be and provides the variety and volume needed to become a well-rounded, competent family physician. When everyone involved shows so much excitement about each resident and about the training as a whole, it’s not difficult to see that training here is a special opportunity.
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Jennifer Wainwright, MD
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Undergraduate: University of Arizona
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine
Favorite Activities: In my free time, I enjoy getting outside for a run or hike, exploring new restaurants, thrift shopping for vintage clothes and hanging out with family or friends.
Why Arizona and UA College of Medicine – Phoenix: As an Arizona native, I was excited for the opportunity to move back home, closer to family and friends. Phoenix has everything you could want in a city — including a huge restaurant scene, night life, professional sports teams, access to the outdoors and the most beautiful sunsets you’ve ever seen. I chose this program because I was interested in working with a diverse, urban population in an academic setting. I was also drawn to the program’s strong commitment to advocacy and working with underserved populations, with the opportunity to rotate with an FQHC. What sealed the deal for me, however, was meeting everyone on interview day. I felt an instant sense of community amongst residents and faculty, and I left just knowing that was something I wanted to be a part of. I am so incredibly excited to begin my training with the College of Medicine – Phoenix!
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