OB/GYN Residency - Current Residents - PGY1

Addie Billington, MD

Dr. Billington was born and raised in Illinois and went to University of Mississippi for undergrad. She returned to Illinois for medical school where she attended University of Illinois College of Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and 2 dogs, working out, hiking, and traveling.

Why OB/GYN: I have wanted to be a doctor since I was about 3 years old, and my interest in medicine grew as I got older. When I was 10, I had the privilege of putting on gloves and "helping" deliver my baby brother, which opened my eyes to the incredible world of OB/GYN. I tried to keep my options open as I went through undergrad and med school but nothing compared to how much I love OB. I love the mix of surgery and continuity of care that you get as an OB/GYN, as well as the patient population and just pregnancy in general!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: When I was applying to residency, I was looking for a program that would train me well but also serve as a family throughout my time there. During the interview, I immediately saw how well all the residents got along and truly enjoyed being around each other and I knew it was an environment I wanted to be a part of. The fact that it's always sunny here and there's a ton of outdoor things to do is an added bonus.

Heidi Bowman, DO

Dr. Bowman was born and raised in northwest Montana. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology at Grand Canyon University before attending medical school at Rocky Vista University in Denver, Colorado. While at Rocky Vista she completed an additional one year pre-doctoral osteopathic fellowship. Outside of work Dr. Bowman spends her time with her husband, 4 year old son and Rottweiler mix. She is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable sports fan, and in her down time enjoys board games, working out, relaxing at the pool and spending time with friends and family.

Why OBGYN: From the day I began medical school, I was intrigued by surgery and being in the OR. I also knew I wanted to have some long-term follow up with my patients. I fell in love with OBGYN during my third-year rotations and realized it offered me everything I was looking for. I enjoy building personal relationships with my patients and being present for the most memorable moments of their lives. I also love the day-to-day variety OBGYN offers as well as the career opportunities it provides moving forward. I can’t imagine doing anything else, and I am so excited to continually learn and grow in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: I enjoyed my time in Arizona while I attended GCU and had always hoped to come back. When I completed my audition rotation at this program, I knew this was where I wanted to call home. Not only did I learn and see so much during my audition, but I was immediately welcomed as part of the team and truly enjoyed getting to know the residents. They were busy and worked hard, but they were also happy and enjoyed one another’s company. Everyone worked as a cohesive unit and had the same goals: Exceptional patient care, learning together and getting home to enjoy life outside of work. I had no doubt this program would prepare me for a successful and fulfilling career as an OBGYN.

Andrea Busicescu, MD

Dr. Busicescu was born in Montreal, Canada but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She is a first-generation American from a Romanian family. She attended Washington University in St. Louis for her undergraduate education where she got a degree in Biochemistry with minors in Biomedical Physics and Psychological & Brain Sciences. A desert dweller at heart, she then came back west to attend the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. In her free time, she loves hiking, cooking, gardening, and skiing.

Why OB/GYN: In medical school, OB/GYN was the only specialty that made me feel a profound sense of purpose and belonging and that truly sparked joy for me. I love being somebody who patients can depend on and trust in the most sensitive and monumental moments of their lives. Professionally, I also enjoy the variety of the day-to-day responsibilities, from clinic to surgery to deliveries.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: After spending medical school here, I fell in love with this city and this program. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix OB/GYN program offers an unparalleled environment of support that allows residents to develop into incredibly competent physicians while finding happiness inside and outside of medicine. Hearing the graduating class say that they would do residency all over again if they could highlight what a uniquely wonderful program we have. I know I will become the skilled OB/GYN I aspire to be while also enjoying myself, making friends for life, and staying connected to who I am and what’s important to me.

Hailey House, DO

Hailey House grew up in eastern Washington however, after spending the last decade in Arizona, now considers the desert her home. Hailey first moved to Arizona to complete her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University. She then continued her education at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. During her limited free time, Hailey enjoys anything Disney, binging reality TV, playing golf, and country swing dancing with her husband.

Why OB/GYN: I quickly realized while working as a medical scribe for an OBGYN that women’s health was a special field. It is an absolute privilege to work with women in healthcare, especially during such memorable and vulnerable milestones in a woman’s life. OBGYN is a diverse specialty that allows physicians to make a positive impact not only on the women they treat but their future generations. There is undoubtedly no better specialty for me!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: Even prior to matriculation into medical school, I knew I wanted to attend UACOMP for postgraduate training. The program is renowned for its extensive educational opportunities that produces competent and confident physicians whom I admire and strive to one day become. Luckily, I was able to witness first-hand not only the outstanding clinical training the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix offers but also the unrivaled program culture and focus on resident wellness during an elective rotation. I am so grateful to be a part of such an amazing program!

Feven Kahsay, MD

Dr. Kahsay was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin. She then stayed in Texas for medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She enjoys traveling, going to the park, and hanging out with family/friends.

Why OB/GYN: I love having the opportunity to be a women’s advocate and being there for them at such vulnerable points in their lives. I also love the variety in the job; I can talk to patients in the clinic, perform surgery in the OR, or do a vaginal delivery in the hospital room. There’s always so much to do!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: I wanted to be at a program with excellent training that also focuses on the wellbeing of residents. And the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix does exactly that! Everyone is incredibly welcoming and a pleasure to be around here.

Cat Meador, MD

Dr. Meador is from Carmel, IN (the land of roundabouts). Her undergraduate degree is in neuroscience and human biology from Indiana University, where she started ballroom dancing competitively and met her partner and best friend. After graduating, she stayed at IU and moved to Fort Wayne, IN for her medical training, where she was heavily involved in the school’s wellness coalition. She has two dogs named Tango and Whiskey and an ever-growing plant collection.

Why OB/GYN: I think OBGYN is so special because it is a field where I can build long term connections with my patients and support them the whole way. As an OBGYN, I get to help patients through life-altering things like chronic pain or pelvic floor health and find effective treatments to improve their quality of life. There are also so many opportunities for education and the ability to advocate for women’s rights. And it’s a birthday every day!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: So many reasons! I was drawn here because of the sunshine, the welcoming environment, and the emphasis and prioritization of physician wellness. Additionally, there are so many opportunities here to explore my interests, which include pediatric gynecology, critical care, pelvic floor disorders, and gender affirming care.

Elly Mikrut, MD

Dr. Mikrut grew up as the child of two Army officers, moving every 2-4 years, until she settled in Phoenix 10 years ago. She went to ASU for undergrad and UA Tucson for medical school. She is excited to be back in Phoenix for residency with her husband and two kids. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and consuming every reality TV show Bravo has to offer.

Why OB/GYN: I wanted to go into OB/GYN because I am passionate about women’s health and love the opportunity to care for patients during some of the most special and also some of the hardest days of their lives. I have always admired the OBGYNs I’ve met for the way they advocate for their patients and remain calm and action-oriented in the toughest situations.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: I knew I wanted to train at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as soon as I arrived for my fourth-year rotation. The environment was friendly and welcoming, the residents were so impressive in their abilities, and the program was incredibly family-friendly. I also loved the diverse patient population and high acuity.

Meher Rakkar, MD

Dr. Rakkar is a Phoenix native, and a desert girl through and through! She decided to stay in Arizona for her education and completed her BS in Physiology and BA in English at the University of Arizona before starting medical school at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix. In her free time, she loves to go for a hike while listening to a good podcast or audiobook, or playing the ukulele. She is a certified SCUBA diver and will take any opportunity she can to be in the ocean - she just logged her 45th dive this year! Her clinical interests include sexual health and education, expanding access to gender affirming care, and the integration of health humanities to improve patient experiences and psychological safety within clinical care teams.

Why OBGYN: What draws me to the field is the intensity and diversity of experiences I get to have! I always knew I wanted to go into a surgical specialty, but when I rotated within the specialty, I fell in love with the unique capacity for connection and advocacy that OBGYN has to offer. The idea of being able to provide compassionate healthcare to women in every phase of their lives, and to use my education in the service of helping people like myself inspires me and I am so excited to have the privilege to do so for the rest of my professional life!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: I was lucky enough to be a medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and, when I first started, OBGYN was the farthest thing from what I had in mind for my future. I had always heard amazing things about the department here, and when I finally had the chance to rotate as a third-year things started to click into place! I remember being so in awe of how confident and happy the residents were, the amount of camaraderie they demonstrated, and their dedication to patient care.

Vaishali (Vai) Ravikumar, MD

Dr. Ravikumar was raised in New Jersey and completed her undergraduate at The College of New Jersey. She then worked in a laboratory in Manhattan before returning home to attend Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. In her free time she likes to go on long runs listening to Taylor Swift, play soccer, admire her dog Jay, watch Nancy Meyers rom-coms, and cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Why OB/GYN: It’s the perfect mixture of medicine, surgery, innovation, and advocacy. The field is so diverse and allows you to curate your career as you see fit. I also get to form longitudinal relationships with my patients and have the unique opportunity to assist with intimate facets of their lives. Lastly, but more certainly not least, delivering babies is such an honor and pleasure!
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix: This program stood out to me because it offered robust global health programs, the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations, exposure to Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, and the Integrative Medicine Program. Furthermore, it is filled with incredibly lovely and capable residents and faculty that foster a positive culture and learning environment. The constant sunshine and warmth doesn't hurt either!