Residents

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I was raised in the small town of Ephrata, Washington. It’s located in central Washington, east of the Cascades.

Undergraduate College:

Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. I attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK for my Master’s in Native American Studies.

Where did you attend Medical School?

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Why did you choose PTHA?

PTHA’s emphasis on community and Indigenous health makes me proud to be a part of this program. I am passionate about tribal health and broad-spectrum family medicine. I feel that PTHA fosters a very supportive atmosphere between residents and faculty, as well as between the different residency programs in the area with shared didactic sessions. Being in the Tacoma area also allows easy access to the outdoors and I’ll be close to friends and family

What are your interests?

Professionally, I am passionate about harm reduction and medication for opioid use disorder, reproductive medicine, and gender-affirming care. Personally, I am interested in transportation equity – making it safer to walk, bike, and roll around cities; birdwatching; cooking and baking; and reading. I also like to rock climb – both indoor gym climbing and outdoors.

What are some fun facts about you?

I summitted Loowit (Mt. St. Helens) and Koma Kulshan (Mt. Baker) on skis. I have broken my wrists three separate times (left wrist twice and right wrist once) – hopefully never again! I’m learning Japanese and Choctaw. I swam competitively for 13 years and my best stroke was the butterfly.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I consider Pinedale, a small town of ~500 people in Arizona, to be my hometown. A good portion of my Petersen side still live in the White Mtns and my Hopi side is from the village Mishognovi.

Undergraduate College:

University of Arizona

Where did you attend Medical School?

University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago

Why did you choose PTHA?

After expressing an interest in Family Medicine to a mentor they highly encouraged me to look into PTHA. I’m really glad I did as I then had the opportunity to shadow for a day. I loved the vibe, faculty, and patients I met. One of which expressed hoping to see me there as a resident. I loved being surrounded by Native providers and patients, and knew that I needed that to flourish as a newly minted physician. It was easy to see that PTHA was where I wanted and needed to be.

What are your interests?

Medical wise my interests mostly lay in Indigenous healthcare, health disparities, primary care, public health, and health justice. I’m interested in moving medicine and healthcare towards a more equitable form based on the concepts of mutual aid, collective healthcare, horizontal organizing, and traditional healing. Outside of medicine my eclectic interests include playing the guitar, singing shapenote music, diy, going down Wikipedia/youtube rabbit holes, learning tradition, and sharing good food with good people.

What are some fun facts about you?

I have TWO CATS that make up most of my partner’s and my personality nowadays. They are the sweetest, though also mischievous and crazy, little guys!

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

Kent, Washington

Undergraduate College:

University of Washington, Seattle

Where did you attend Medical School?

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Why did you choose PTHA?

I chose PTHA Family Medicine Residency because they treated me like family, and it also felt like the next step in my commitment to serve tribal communities in the PNW. Furthermore, I feel PTHA understands the importance of preventative care and socioeconomic determinants of health. I was born in Washington and grew up in Kent, so I had a strong desire to go to a full-spectrum residency like PTHA while still being close to home. I served for several years at the Christ Community Free Clinic in Auburn, providing care for the uninsured, immigrants under the poverty line, and the unhoused population. I also collaborated with the tribal community as a teaching assistant at the Muckleshoot Reservation. At PTHA, I want to continue to strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities that I have been fortunate enough to grow up around.

What are your interests?

Medically, I would like to work with underserved communities in whole family medicine, behavioral health, and preventative/public health. In medical school, PNWU awarded me the 2024 Excellence in Public Health Award in recognition of my demonstrated commitment to public health and public health practice. In my free time, I love bhangra dancing, playing badminton, traveling abroad, exploring other cultures, and reading fun books!

What are some fun facts about you?

I can speak Punjabi; plus, I understand Hindi and Urdu. History was my favorite subject in school, and if I did not love medicine so much, I would have become a history teacher! Also, I can eat about 100 lychees in one sitting because it is my second favorite fruit (after pineapple).

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I am from Anchorage, Alaska. My family is from the Native Village of Chevak, Alaska, and I am an enrolled member of the Qissunamiut Tribe.

Undergraduate College:

University of Alaska Anchorage

Where did you attend Medical School?

University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND.

Why did you choose PTHA?

As a girl, my grandma told me our native people need native doctors who understand our culture and interconnectedness to heal the root cause of our illnesses. I chose PTHA because the mission “health and wellness in a culturally appropriate manner” is my mission and purpose in medicine.

What are your interests?

My interests in medicine are vast, while my special interests are in women’s health, including obstetrics, as well as addiction medicine and obesity medicine. Ultimately, I chose family medicine because I enjoy truly connecting with people to find mutual understanding of their whole-person health and wellbeing in all areas of medicine! Outside of medicine, I am a through and through Alaskan girl, I love fishing, hiking, and camping. When not outdoors with my doggo, I like to play video games on my Nintendo switch, and watch movies with my husband.

What are some fun facts about you?

My favorite color is purple. I have broken 5 bones in my life and all of them happened because I’m helplessly clumsy. Usually, in a setting where I’m asked to give a fun fact, my fun fact is that I’m from Alaska.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, but my family is now all based in Northern California.

Undergraduate College:

Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA

Where did you attend Medical School?

Western University of the Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA

Why did you choose PTHA?

Upon a strong recommendation from a classmate, I rotated at PTHA to experience firsthand “the best kept secret in family medicine.” I couldn’t dispute his claim, and fortunately went on to interview and match here. The largest draw for me to PTHA was the spirit factor. It is becoming easier to find places where the mind-body connection is acknowledged and leveraged, but to find a place that aligned with my spirit was special. PTHA is family and community-oriented, and values diversity and growth. I am excited to return to the Pacific Northwest to learn from and serve the Indigenous communities here.

What are your interests?

My favorite area within osteopathic family medicine is perinatal care–caring for the whole family before, during, and after a birth. I’m also interested in working with elder and LGBTQ populations, and coaching patients through big changes in their lives. I spent an extra year in medical school teaching osteopathic manipulative medicine, and incorporate this modality frequently. 
Outside of medicine, I seek creative outlets and ways to connect with people and the natural world. These might include singing, dancing, writing, cooking, travel, hiking, studying mysticism and attending farmers markets and communal rituals.

What are some fun facts about you?

Prior to residency I went on a month-long solo backpacking trip around Europe. Prior to medical school, I went on a month-long solo road trip across the western half of the US. Following college, I spent three months living in Hanoi, Vietnam–where I studied for the MCAT and took online physics (and had my own rental scooter to get around). I played rugby (fullback) in college until I had too many concussions. I’ve been stung seven times by scorpions (and am still not scared of them).

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

San Diego, California

Undergraduate College:

University of California, Santa Barbara

Where did you attend Medical School?

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why did you choose PTHA?

During my interview day I felt like I genuinely clicked with the community and am so excited I found my people at PTHA.

What are your interests?

My interests in medicine include nutrition and lifestyle medicine, full spectrum family medicine including OB, breastfeeding medicine and working with underserved communities.

What are some fun facts about you?

When I’m not at work, I love spending time with my husband, 1.5 year old daughter, and my 3 rescues (2 dogs, 1 cat). I love trail running, rock climbing, mountain biking, making sourdough bread and drinking kombucha.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

Kenmore, WA

Undergraduate College:

University of Washington

Where did you attend Medical School?

Pacific Northwest University

Why did you choose PTHA?

Being a smaller program, PTHA has a close-knit family feel that I was searching for. I love the Tacoma area and am very thankful to be able to stay near my family and friends during residency. I want to become a rural full-spectrum family medicine doctor so I am excited for the diverse learning settings PTHA provides.

What are your interests?

I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy cooking (especially soup or pasta), playing card games, reading mystery novels, exploring the outdoors, catching up on my favorite crime shows or cheesy sit-coms, doing simple arts and crafts, and trying new foods and drinks.

What are some fun facts about you?

I am the oldest of 4 siblings. I was a synchronized swimmer for many years and competed nationally. I am the proud aunt of 2 nieces and 1 nephew. I have been to 22 of the 63 national parks and hope to visit all of them one day.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Cebu City, Philippines, and moved to Indiana at age 6.

Undergraduate College:

Indiana University Bloomington

Where did you attend Medical School?

Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why did you choose PTHA?

I got the chance to rotate with PTHA in my fourth year of medical school and I loved my experience working with the staff, residents, and attendings. As a student, I felt seen, valued, and considered as a member of the team and I knew I wanted to be part of that. I am also passionate about working with underserved communities, and I wanted to be in a residency which provided the resources and the support to pursue this endeavor. Lastly, I chose PTHA because it is a full-spectrum unopposed program, and I believe I will be trained well and to my fullest potential here.

What are your interests?

Professionally, my interests include lifestyle and preventative medicine, women’s health, and behavioral health including addiction medicine and managing chronic pain with alternatives to pharmacological treatment. Outside of medicine, my interests include reading (historical romance for fiction, natural history for nonfiction), crafting, crocheting, hiking, taking fun exercise classes, climbing, trying out new restaurants and coffee shops, thrifting, finding new music, watching YouTube videos on tiny homes and interior design, and spending time with friends and family.

What are some fun facts about you?

My favorite color is pink, my favorite fruit to eat is mangos (honorable mentions: coconuts, watermelons, cotton candy grapes), I can still speak my native dialect, I have a huge sweet tooth, and I once swam with whale sharks.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

Chicago, IL

Undergraduate College:

University of Illinois at Chicago

Where did you attend Medical School?

Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (Harrogate, TN)

Why did you choose PTHA?

From the many reasons why, I chose to rotate with PTHA as a medical student due to the opportunity to be able to work with underserved populations. Being immersed in a unique culture, I immediately fell in love with faculty, staff, residents, and patients! The teamwork at the clinic and family-like atmosphere was one I wanted to be a part of. PTHA also provides the ability to practice broad spectrum family medicine and was a huge proponent of osteopathic manipulation/treatment which coincides with my interests

What are your interests?

My medical interests are, but not limited to, health disparities, underserved populations, health literacy, women’s health, obstetrics, osteopathy, sports medicine, and dermatology/cosmetics. Outside of medicine, I enjoy cooking, home décor (on a budget!), yoga, hiking, playing sports, and board games.

What are some fun facts about you?

I LOVE donuts, a lot. My guilty pleasure is definitely watching reality television. I am pretty much an open book so this question is quite difficult!

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

Las Vegas, Nevada

Undergraduate College:

University of Southern California

Where did you attend Medical School?

Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why did you choose PTHA?

PTHA really checked all of the boxes I was looking for in a residency – a supportive team, the belief that a person’s health encompasses all aspects of their life, and training in both an urban and rural environment. PTHA’s emphasis on community, both within the program and within the community we serve, really stuck out to me. All of that, mixed together with the fantastic location (I now have no excuse to not go hiking) made PTHA the logical choice for me!

What are your interests?

In terms of my medical career, I’m interested in practicing primary care with an emphasis on nutrition and preventative medicine. Dealing with any health issue takes up so much time, effort, and energy on the part of the patient – I want to educate my patients, to prevent as much as possible so that they can enjoy their lives fully when they’re out of the office. Outside of medicine, I love trying new recipes for meals to impress my friends (my eggplant parmesan recently got rave reviews), gardening, exploring new restaurants and bars, and badly dancing at raves and concerts.

What are some fun facts about you?

I’m usually in charge of cooking the meat when I go out for KBBQ. Unlike most people with seafood allergies, I’m allergic to fish but shellfish is A-OK. I grew up in Las Vegas and prefer bingo to poker.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I was born in Seattle, but spent most years growing up in the Puyallup and Tacoma areas.

Undergraduate College:

University of Washington, Tacoma

Where did you attend Medical School?

Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Why did you choose PTHA?

I was actually inspired to become an osteopath after shadowing Dr. Aaron Rhyner at PTHA, during undergrad. Over the course of nearly two years, Dr. Rhyner graciously showed me what culturally-competent care truly looked like and the delicate balance of mind, body, and spirit that facilitates wellness. While I certainly enjoyed sunny Florida, I simply could not find another residency with as much soul and conviction as PTHA. We are the product of our environment, and saw an incredible opportunity to give back to the communities that shaped me into who I am today. Combine this with unopposed training at incredible facilities, a Native American and osteopathic curriculum, as well as the chance to bring my wife and son back home, PTHA represents EVERYthing I could hope for!

What are your interests?

Where to begin! Professionally, I am passionate about genuinely knowing those I serve, osteopathy, lifestyle medicine, mindfulness, and the future possibilities of telehealth platforms. Beyond healthcare, I am always seeking new travel adventures with family and friends—especially finding the best burger spots! I can’t help but take tons of photos and videos with my phone, commemorating trips with fun movies! My hands like to stay busy so in my free time I’m slowly learning how to work on my MINI Clubman. At the end of the day, I enjoy winding down by watching paranormal investigations on YouTube or playing video games with my wife!

What are some fun facts about you?

Recovering potato chip addict (honestly, just carbs in general; I blame my former soccer coaches). I’m bulletproof…well, I drink bulletproof coffee each morning at least…never. enough. butter! Moderately fluent in baby babble but can get around town in Spanish, if needed. Played guitar for 12 years and slowly learning piano. I originally considered architecture before deciding to attend med school with a history degree; my senior paper explored how acupuncture was bringing a Chinese cultural influence BACK into Tacoma—believe it or not, Tacoma’s waterfront had a Chinatown until the late 1800s! I also have two spoiled chiweenies named Mia and Kailani.

Medical Resident

Where are you originally from?

I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I moved to California when I was 12.

Undergraduate College:

University of California, Santa Cruz.

Where did you attend Medical School?

Kansas City University in Missouri

Why did you choose PTHA?

I am very excited about getting to refresh and practice my OMT skills. I am also hoping to get MOUD exposure, enough to get comfortable incorporating it into my practice in the near future.

What are your interests?

Medically, I am interested in outpatient medicine. I like women’s health, outpatient procedures, and geriatrics. I would like to get more experience in palliative care. Personally, I love to paint and cook. I have been enjoying reading a lot more in the past year and have a new found love for fiction.

What are some fun facts about you?

My real birthday and my legal birthday are different. I am 15 years older than my brother.