Current Residents 2024-2025

Chief Resident

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Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergrad: University of TN in Knoxville
Med School: University of TN
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: My favorite past time is reading, especially fiction. I can spend hours in a day getting lost in a book. I also enjoy going to the movies. I spend a lot of time at Parks, taking my three year old to different playgrounds. We spend a lot of time outside playing and having adventures.
Why UT-Nashville: This is the most supportive program I have ever known, especially for residents with families. Every attending, faculty member, and resident will gladly help with anything you may need. It is a small program, but that just means that we are all close and even more willing to help out a friend in need. The program is very focused on healthy minds and bodies, and no matter what a person is going through, there is always someone who is willing to lend a hand.


PGY-3 Residents

Febronia Dawoud, MD

Hometown: Nashville
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: Playing guitar, gardening, swimming, hiking
Why UT-Nashville: I chose this program because I wanted a program that really invested in their students. They have been so supportive of me throughout the transition from medical school to residency. The staff, residents, and faculty really try to help you reach your personal goals. I’m so grateful to be a part of UT Nashville.

Ramsey Ferguson, M.D.

Hometown: Lawrenceburg, TN
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends!
Why UT-Nashville: Since my 3rd year of medical school, I knew that I wanted to call this program home! I loved seeing how all the attendings and hospital staff treated the medical students and residents. I loved that it wasn't an institution with so many learners that it felt overcrowded. You really can get a lot of individual attention and have access to practically any experiences that you choose to pursue.

Jordan Gallardo, M.D.

Hometown: Madison, AL
Undergraduate: University of Alabama
Medical School: University of Alabama
Career Goals: I am very interested in hospital-based medicine. I haven't decided yet if I will become a hospitalist or will pursue some sort of fellowship, possibly pulmonary/critical care.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading and programming, as well as arts and crafts; anything that lets me use my imagination and be creative. My favorite genres are paranormal fiction, romance, and fantasy. I am definitely more of a homebody. My definition of a good night is to curl up with a good book or rewatch an episode of my favorite show, House.
Why UT-Nashville: The culture is so positive and uplifting, with a real focus on physician and resident wellness. I feel valued and respected. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. The residents are not the workhorses of the hospital; we are there to learn to be excellent physicians. The core faculty are invested in our education. Most of them were at UTHSC for residency and have chosen to stay in Nashville and this program for good reason.

Reed Gilbert, M.D.

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Career Goals: Primary Care or Hospital Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Working out, playing/watching sports, fantasy football, shows
Why UT-Nashville: You can really tell that everyone involved in the program cares about you and your wellbeing. I am so glad to be here and honestly do not think I would be nearly as excited for the next three years if I had ended up elsewhere.

Torri Harrell, M.D.

Hometown: Kinder, Louisiana
Undergraduate: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine - Shreveport
Career Goals: Hospitalist (Probably- I'm still undecided!)
Hobbies/Interests: I love to run long distances, read almost anything, and of course spend time with my friends and family- including my dog, Murphy. Murphy goes anywhere and everywhere he can with me. He even has his own backpack so he can tag along on bike rides and hikes!
Why UT-Nashville: Everyone I've met at this program has been so genuine, kind, encouraging, and supportive. Every day, I find a new reason I'm thankful I'm in this program! I am also excited about exploring Nashville over the next three years.

Meghan Kramer, M.D.

Hometown: Berlin, NH
Undergraduate: Berea College
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Hospitalist or Intensivist
Hobbies/Interests: I love staying active outside - hiking, running, kayaking. I enjoy weightlifting at the gym, cooking and baking from scratch. I have a cat named Remington (aka Remmy) and two guinea pigs (Katie and Kricket), all three of whom were rescued!
Why UT-Nashville: All the attendings and residents are supportive, kind, and compassionate. Since the program is small, it allows you to develop personal relationships with attendings, consultants, peers, etc. There is a great mix of clinical and educational activity, and it’s really promising that the program is always looking to better itself and expand!

Sophie Lawrence, M.D.

Hometown: Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: American University
Medical School: East Virginia Medical School
Career Goals: Hospitalist or pulm/crit but also a happy, balanced life as a physician and mom!
Hobbies/Interests: DIY projects
Why UT-Nashville: My husband is a UT alumnus and diehard Vols fan so recruiting his New Englander wife to team orange is his dream come true.

Himanshi Patel, M.D.

Hometown: Surat, India
Medical School: Surat Municipal Institute of Medicine and Education
Career Goals: Hospital Medicine or Hematology Oncology
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, dancing, hiking, spending time with friends and family.
Why UT-Nashville: Great work environment and great people to work with. Good work life balance.


PGY-2 Residents

Akshay Hajari, M.D.

Hometown: Surat, Gujarat, India
Undergraduate: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
Medical School: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
Hobbies/Interests: Playing outdoor sports- Cricket, Volleyball, Lawn tennis; Working Out; Traveling; Hiking; Calligraphy; Sketching

Matthew Hall, M.D.

Hometown: Campbellsville, Kentucky
Undergraduate: Western Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Capturing pictures on myNikon COOLPIX s70. In my spare time I enjoy learning the basics of Adobe photoshop and digital photo editing.

Teddy Hughes, M.D.

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Hobbies/Interests: Avid Hiker, Enjoy designing multi level enclosures for my gerbils and guinea pigs, Collegiate rugby player, Casually competitive ultimate frisbee player, and Bird watching

Yan Lin, M.D.

Hometown: Fujian, China; Murray, KY
Undergraduate: Murray State University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Hobbies/Interests: Reading mystery stories remains one of my biggest passions and fulfills my curious nature, I love cooking Chinese, Indian, and Italian cuisines and trying different foods, I enjoy cycling, Gardening is a new hobby I picked up recently

Mahiar Rabie, M.D.

Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Undergraduate: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Running/weightlifting, Stock market investing, and Making pizza at home

Isaiah Rivera, M.D.

Hometown: Jackson, GA; Port Huron, MI
Undergraduate: Georgia State University
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing recreational soccer and ping-pong. I also attend a rock-climbing gym where I like to progress to more difficult climbs over time, I enjoy singing and playing the guitar and piano, and I am a TV Show and Movie Enthusiast

Collin Vassuer, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors with my wife. I love playing disc golf any time I can. In my free time I also play fantasy football, read, and play board games.

Tyler Vaughan, M.D.

Hometown: Ringgold, GA
Undergraduate: Berry College
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Performing Arts/Stage Acting, Piloting (General Aviation), Pickleball, and Cooking


PGY-1 Residents

AcuffJames IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc

Hometown:  Ashland City, TN
Undergraduate: Tennessee Technological University
Graduate School: University of Memphis/University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center 
Career Goals: Undecided 
Hobbies/Interests: I've been an avid musician since I was a child and still enjoy pickin' guitar with friends.  I also enjoy spending time with family, reading, walking Millie (my dog), and smoking BBQ.

CarterJacob IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc

Hometown: Maloney Gardens, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Undergraduate: Morgan State University
Medical School: St. George's University
Career Goals: Primary Care Physician
Hobbies/Interests: Singing, volunteering at food banks, bike riding, walks in nature, making memories with loved ones
Why UT-Nashville: I applied to the program because I wanted to stay close to my community of loved ones. Moreover, several persons told me that UT-Nashville has a great program where the directors, mentors, preceptors and the program structure itself create a supportive environment for residents, as a group/family, to become excellent physicians. I tend to agree. I believe God guided my steps to UT-Nashville and I sure am glad I'm here!

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Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University 
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center 
Career Goals: Hospitalist/Primary Care
Hobbies/Interests: I love hanging out with family and friends here in my home city. I’m all about soccer, reading good books, and hitting the trails, especially in the mountains. Also, I’m very close to hitting a 365-day streak on Duolingo (no big deal).
Why UT-Nashville: During my medical school  rotations at UT Nashville, I knew this was where I belonged. The diverse patient population and exposure make it the best place for extensive learning and growth. Also, I’m a Nashville native so everything I know and love is in this great city!

Millikan-Seth-8x10-300-ma

Hometown: Missouri Valley, IA
Undergraduate: Iowa State University 
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine 
Career Goals: Undecided 
Hobbies/Interests: Weightlifting, hiking/backpacking, watching and playing sports

Reynolds-Kelton-8x10-300-ma

Hometown: Franklin, TN 
Undergraduate: Mississippi State 
Medical School: UTHSC
Career Goals: Cardiology 
Hobbies/Interests: Carpentry, hiking, golf and cooking
Why UT-Nashville: I rotated here as a medical student and loved the program and the people. I am from middle Tennessee so I enjoy having a program with a great work-life balance and great clinical teaching in an area of the country I love.

Stacy-Cameron-8x10-300-ma

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Career Goals: Primary Care or Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing guitar, piano, and violin. I also like to golf, exercise, and cook
Why UT-Nashville: I got a great vibe from the faculty and residents and I love the South!

Strickler-Emily-8x10-300-ma

Hometown: Weston, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: Amherst College
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Goals: Geriatrics
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking with my husband and two bernedoodles, Running, Reading and Cooking
Why UT-Nashville: Supportive faculty who are passionate about teaching and facilitating a healthy work-life balance. Family friendly schedule, quality didactics and welcoming co-residents!

Yao Jane 8x10 300 ma

Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: UTHSC College of Medicine
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: Roller skating, playing piano and guitar, macrame weaving, gardening
Why UT-Nashville: This program has an incredible culture that is kind, welcoming, balanced in lifestyle, and learner-friendly. I love the close-knit community that this program fosters. Ascension is also an excellent healthcare organization to work under, and the program is run well and fully integrated into the hospital system.

Ajala Temitope 8x10 300 ma

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Medical School: College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
Career Goals: Neurology
Hobbies/Interests: Learning about our planet, (Love National Geographic), travelling places with and hiking with my wife.
Why UT- Nashville: I had an amazing experience spending a couple of years in a graduate program at East Tennessee, and I would love to be back to learn and explore Tennessee.  Furthermore, I am delighted to be a part of the culture of care and the enduring legacy of the UT Nashville program.

David Bowen, M.D.

Hometown: Yucaipa, CA
Undergraduate: Loma Linda University
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Hobbies/Interests: I like to spend a lot of my time outdoors. I have skateboarded for over 10 years. One of my favorite sports I like to participate in is soccer and I played competitively through high school. I also like to mix music.

Spencer Oskin, M.D.

Hometown: Hendersonville, TN
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Hobbies/Interests: My current favorites are snowboarding in the winter and wake surfing in the summer. I have several collections from trading cards to coins and my newest collection is searching for rare bottles of Bourbon for sale to identify subtle profile differences

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