Chief Resident
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!
PGY-3 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 Tennessee
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: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
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: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
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 Vasseur, M.D.
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
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: Mercer University School of Medicine
Medical School: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
Hobbies/Interests: Performing Arts/Stage Acting, Piloting (General Aviation), Pickleball, and Cooking
PGY-2 Residents
Brad Hambly, M.D.
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.
Why UT-Nashville: Being from the Nashville area, staying close to home was important to me. However, what truly drew me to this program was its exceptional quality of training and the supportive community. As a medical student, I had the privilege of learning from residents and attendings who were not only highly knowledgeable but also genuinely kind and eager to teach.
Sarah James, M.D.
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!
Sarwar Kokoy, M.D.
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!
Akshay Hajari, M.D.
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
Why UT-Nashville: I chose UT-Nashville because the program provides great learning opportunities while maintaining a good work-life balance. Everyone here is friendly and willing to help. I am excited to train in this program!
Kelton Reynolds, M.D.
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.
Cameron Stacy, M.D.
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!
Emily Strickler, D.O.
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!
Jane Yao, M.D.
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.
PGY-1 Residents
Zina Arkhipenko, M.D.
Hometown: Smyrna, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee Knoxville
Medical School: East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Gardening, Cooking, Yoga
Why UT-Nashville: The high quality of mentorship and strong commitment to excellence in residency training drew me to UT Nashville. After my initial interactions with faculty and residents, I knew I would be surrounded by individuals committed to creating an environment where learning is both prioritized and personalized. I am excited to train in Nashville at an exceptional program that will undoubtedly guide me toward the best possible opportunities for my career.
Dj Delfendahl, M.D.
Hometown: Mount Juliet, TN
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career Goals: Hospitalist or Primary Care
Hobbies/Interests: I love working out, reading books, watching any sport that is on TV but especially football and baseball, hanging out with my friends and family and always finding new things to do in Nashville.
Why UT-Nashville: I knew after rotating here during my core internal medicine rotation that this was the place for me. The culture of this program is unmatched and every attending cares about your wellbeing and wants you to be able to learn as much as possible. Being from the Nashville area and with the diverse patient population, I can’t think of a better place to be trained as a doctor.
Sophia Kchouk, M.D.
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Undergraduate: St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career Goals: Hospitalist Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Dancing, Gardening, Language Learning
Why UT-Nashville: During my IM clerkship here in Nashville, I appreciated the program’s culture and felt that it nurtures growth and learning without neglecting resident well-being. I expect that this program will help me become the type of physician I aspire to be and am excited to be here!
Marina Lamei, M.D.
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career Goals: I’m interested in becoming a hospitalist and am excited to build a career in inpatient medicine.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy watching movies, hiking, cooking, and listening to music.
Why UT-Nashville: I loved my time at UT-Nashville as a medical student, and now as a resident, I still feel that same excitement coming in each day. The residents and attendings create such a welcoming, supportive environment—it truly feels like a family. Everyone looks out for one another, and there’s a genuine culture of kindness, teamwork, and shared purpose. It’s an incredible place to learn, grow, and be part of something special.
Brennan McNeil, M.D.
Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine
Career Goals: Hospital Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Fly fishing, archery, farm work, forestry, dad life
Why UT-Nashville: From the moment I first met program attendings and admins from UT Nashville at a medical conference in my 3rd year of med school, I felt they represented a reflection of my desired future self; rooted in Nashville, practical, bright, and interested in the process as much as the outcome.
Jack McRae, M.D.
Hometown: Bainbridge, GA
Undergraduate: University of Georgia
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Career Goals: Cardiology
Hobbies/Interests: Golf, reading, guitar, UGA football
Why UT-Nashville: UT Nashville was an easy choice for me. From my first interaction with the program on my away rotation, everyone that I met was so friendly and welcoming. It really impressed me to see all of the residents, attendings, and staff be so collegial and passionate about medicine. As I continued to meet residents throughout the interview process, it became clear that the culture at this program is so supportive with everyone being invested in each other’s growth.
Paul Murphy, M.D.
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Undergraduate: Colgate University
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, sports, history, and cooking (specifically, perfecting my chili recipe)
Why UT-Nashville: The program has a great, close-knit vibe. The faculty and current residents are dedicated to teaching and helping one another grow as clinicians.ching
Kerilyn St. Pierre, M.D.
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Undergraduate: Louisiana State University
Medical School: LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine
Career Goals: Undecided, but I enjoy hospital medicine, ID, and GI
Hobbies/Interests: My favorite hobby is kayaking, preferably in rivers with decent current! I am also passionate about fashion! I enjoy styling myself and others, thrifting, and researching fashion trends/forecasting.
Why UT-Nashville: I wanted to live in a city with access to both nature/beautiful rivers and fun city life. Nashville has both of these things and allows me to pursue all my hobbies in one place! The program itself is warm, welcoming, and the perfect size! outdoor sports- Cricket, Volleyball, Lawn tennis; Working Out; Traveling; Hiking; Calligraphy; Sketching
Edward Harpstead, M.D.
Hometown: West Chester, PA
Undergraduate: Vanderbilt University
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career Goals: Radiology
Hobbies/Interests: I love running, backpacking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Why UT-Nashville: I did my 3rd year medicine rotation here and loved the residents/attendings and the small team sizes, and I am thrilled to be back for my prelim year!
Emma Sanders, M.D.
Hometown: Franklin, TN
Undergraduate: University of Alabama
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Career Goals: Diagnostic Radiology
Hobbies/Interests: I love reading, hiking, traveling, baking gluten-free sourdough, and obsessing over the latest season of Survivor.
Why UT-Nashville: I rotated here as a medical student and loved the welcoming and supportive culture of the program. I am also from Nashville and am excited to be home for the year, making it the perfect preliminary year for me!
