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Elle Fraser, DO
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Dr. Fraser was born and raised in northern Michigan and attended DePauw University, where she majored in Anthropology. Before medical school, she taught 5th grade with Teach For America while earning her Master’s in the Art of Teaching. She has 2 dogs– a huskypoo and a golden retriever–and in her free time, she enjoys exploring local restaurants, playing pickleball, and spending time outdoors.
Why OB/GYN:
I chose OB/GYN because it allows me to walk beside women through major life transitions—menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and more—while also doing the surgical and procedural work I love. I'm passionate about education and about normalizing the topics in this specialty that society often overlooks or avoids discussing openly. It’s a field where I can combine my skills, values, and voice to make a meaningful impact with a community I deeply care about.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix:
I immediately felt at home and intellectually energized when interacting with both residents and faculty; they brought out the best parts of me. It felt like the kind of environment where I would be both supported and challenged to grow. I saw endless opportunities to explore every corner of the OB/GYN field with accessible mentorship and encouragement. The culture felt warm, grounded, and fueled by a mindset of curiosity. I was also drawn to Phoenix itself; as a big foodie, I’ve already been impressed by what I’ve tried and am excited for many more food adventures.
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Jasmine Garcia, MD
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Dr. Garcia was born in Ann Arbor, MI but spent her teenage and young adult years in Gilbert, AZ. She attended Arizona State University for her undergrad and returned to the Midwest to attend the Medical College of Wisconsin. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her fiancé and Aussie-doodle Millie, country dancing, cooking, and reviewing restaurants as a Yelp Elite.
Why OB/GYN:
I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 5 years old while watching my mother become a surgeon herself. As a sexual abuse survivor in my youth, I am passionate about youth education, specifically empowering children with knowledge about their body and consent. When it came to selecting a medical specialty, I found myself especially passionate towards caring for women of all ages and having a mix of longitudinal care with a surgical component.
Why COM-P:
When looking for a residency program, I was interested in programs that felt like a family. On my audition rotation the phrase “Disneyland of OBGYN” kept repeating itself and I found it to be 100% accurate. Arizona is also “home” for me, with a large support system in place I knew this is where I wanted to start my career. After spending half my life in the Midwest, I cherish the sunny hot days that Arizona brings!
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Emina Gulbis, MD
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Dr. Gulbis was born in Switzerland and moved to the US (Boise, ID) when she was 3. She moved to Boston and attended the University of Massachusetts Boston for undergrad. While in Boston, she developed an interest in genetics and got a Masters of Science in Genomics from Johns Hopkins before returning to the West Coast and attending the University of Washington for medical school. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, reading, hiking, working out and spending time with her husband and dog.
Why OB/GYN:
I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 10. My mom is a Medical Assistant for an OB/GYN in Idaho and frequently shared her stories. This sparked my interest in medicine and OB/GYN. My interest continued to grow as I went through college and medical school. I love that OB/GYN is a blend of medical, surgical and critical care. I also love that we get to have continuity of care and care for patients across their lifespans. Lastly, I am very passionate about reproductive healthcare access and love that there are so many opportunities to advocate for my patients.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix:
I wanted to come here for so many reasons! I love that this program provides excellent training in an environment that supports resident wellbeing. I love that this program feels like a big family with so much support. Also, this program gives me so many opportunities to work with diverse patient populations and explore my interests in high-risk obstetrics, critical care and advocacy.
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Greer Ozan, DO
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Dr. Ozan was born and raised in Oklahoma. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology at the University of Denver before attending medical school at Rocky Vista University in Colorado. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her significant other and their golden retriever named Bodie. She loves to hike, ski, cook, watch reality tv, spend time with family/friends, try new restaurants, travel, and read.
Why OB/GYN:
Growing up in a rural area, where sexual health education and resources were limited, I became increasingly aware of the gaps in reproductive healthcare. I was heavily involved with Medical Students For Choice throughout medical school, so I knew picking a specialty that had an emphasis on advocacy was important to me. On my OB/GYN rotation, the variety of experiences—clinic visits, time in the OR, and L&D—made every day feel meaningful and exciting. I love that as an OB/GYN, I can care for a wide spectrum of patients, from teenagers to new mothers to older women—and potentially follow the same woman through all stages of life as a generalist. For me, OB/GYN has it all.
Why the College of Medicine-Phoenix:
I had the fortunate opportunity to complete a sub-internship here during my 4th year of medical school, and I loved my rotation so much that I did not want it to end. That’s when I knew that this was where I wanted to complete my residency training. All the residents and attendings I interacted with were kind, engaging, and hands-on teachers. The program itself is a center of academic excellence and has an amazing structure of support. I knew that UACOMP would quickly become my second home and be the perfect place for me to grow into the OB/GYN physician I hope to be.
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Ritika Rao, DO
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Dr. Rao was born and raised in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. She moved to California to attend UCLA and receive her Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science. Her whole family followed her to California at the same time. After college, she spent a few years in the Bay Area before moving to Phoenix to pursue both her Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences and complete medical school at Midwestern University. In her free time, Ritika enjoys experimenting with recipes, finding new restaurants, dancing, watching sunsets, traveling, and binge watching the same shows over and over again, and spending time with her friends, family, and fiancé.
Why OB/GYN:
I came into medical school knowing I wanted to be an OB/GYN, and I never wavered from this goal. The field of OB/GYN combines everything I care about: clinical complexity, surgical skills, advocacy for vulnerable populations, and the ability to empower women through their health decisions. As a woman of color in medicine, I recognize how important it is for patients to see themselves in their providers. I want to be the kind of OB/GYN who creates a space for patients to feel heard, safe, and empowered, especially those who may not always have that elsewhere. I hope to offer care that feels personal, inclusive, and affirming, because every patient deserves to feel like they matter.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix:
When I heard from OB/GYN residents at other programs that this program was the “Disneyland” of OB/GYN residencies, I was instantly intrigued. To my pleasure, I found this to be true in every aspect of this residency program. I desperately wanted to be in a residency where there is a large sense of family, and I saw that right away from my pre-interview social. I also wanted to train in a positive environment where I would always feel supported and comfortable, even when things became uncomfortable. The best part is that I delivered my first baby on my own here as a visiting student, and now I get to do it for the next 4 years! I have felt happy to be here every day so far, and I am so grateful to have matched into my top choice!
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Gaston Sanders, MD
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Dr. Sanders grew up on the coast of North Carolina. He moved to Chapel Hill to attend the University of North Carolina for undergrad and medical school. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his fiancée, playing sports, and spending time on the water.
Why OB/GYN:
Building long-term relationships with my patients and caring for them throughout their lives is, to me, the greatest privilege of being a physician. During medical school I came to love obstetrics because of the challenge of caring for two patients at once and the opportunity to support pregnant patients in making informed decisions for themselves and their families. The technical demands of procedures and surgery inspire me to continuously learn and grow throughout my career.
Why the College of Medicine-Phoenix:
I wanted to come to a residency program with strong clinical training in both obstetrics and GYN surgery, that prioritizes a positive learning environment for residents and students alike and emphasizes resident wellness. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix OBGYN program has blown these expectations out of the water, and everyone here has been incredibly welcoming!
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Schyler Said, MD, MPH
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Dr. Said was born outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and spent most of her childhood in Hobbs, New Mexico. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where she studied Biological Sciences and Feminist Studies. She completed her MD at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as her Master of Public Health at the Dornsife School of Public Health, studying Community Health and Prevention and Maternal and Child Health. She enjoys surfing, snowboarding, running, Love Island USA, and spending time with her fantastic friends.
Why OB/GYN:
I grew up watching my incredible mother practice rural medicine as an OB/GYN in Hobbs, New Mexico. Seeing her impact on the community set me on a path to pursue a career in underserved OB/GYN early in life. I feel strongly drawn to increasing access to contraceptives and advocating for reproductive autonomy in underserved communities of the southwest.
Why UACOM-P:
Immediately upon interviewing with UACOM-P, I could tell how committed this program was to helping residents develop their skills in a safe and familial environment. The academic resources and kind demeanor of every individual I met were unparalleled anywhere else. They call it the Disneyland of OB/GYN residencies for a reason - what a dream come true!
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Lindsay Telles, DO
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Dr. Telles was raised in Chandler, AZ and completed her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University. She attended Rocky Vista University in Colorado, where she received a master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences and completed medical school. She enjoys hiking, traveling, exploring new restaurants, watching reality TV, and hanging out with her dog, Bruno!
Why OB/GYN:
I fell in love with OBGYN during my third-year rotation. I was drawn to the hands-on nature of the field, the opportunity to form long-term relationships with patients, and the variety each day brings. I am passionate about women’s health, particularly working with underserved populations both locally and globally. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else and feel honored to be a part of this amazing specialty.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix:
I always hoped that I would be able to return to Arizona for residency. During my audition rotation as a medical student, I saw how supportive and uplifting the residents and faculty were. I knew I wanted to train at a program that felt like family and offered excellent training with a diverse patient population. The College of Medicine – Phoenix does exactly that!
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Janelle Trefsgar, DO
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Dr. Trefsgar was born in Anaheim, CA but grew up outside of Philadelphia, PA. She attended Penn State University for her undergraduate studies and earned her medical degree at A. T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her significant other and her Australian Shepard dog, Sedona. Her favorite hobbies include skiing, hiking, and watching reality TV shows.
Why OB/GYN:
I chose OB/GYN for its focus on reproductive health, its care for vulnerable patient populations, and the unique blend of advocacy, continuity, and procedural medicine. It allows me to support patients through the most pivotal moments in their lives while promoting access to comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Why the College of Medicine – Phoenix:
During my sub-internship at the University of Arizona - Phoenix, I was struck by the program’s supportive, team-oriented culture. The residents were welcoming and genuinely invested in teaching. I appreciated the opportunity to care for a diverse patient population and engage with a wide range of complex and interesting cases — including the delivery of quadruplets during my rotation!
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