Class of 2027
Sven Byrnes DO
Undergraduate: Elon University. Elon , NC
Medical School: LMU-DCOM
Hobbies: Working out, hiking, skiing, connecting with friends
What I did before medical school: A year of graduate school.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I love the large hospital in combination with family medicine being the only program on campus. I plan to practice independently post-residency and need to be confident in any situation. When researching and interviewing, I connected with the inviting culture and people here. We are quick to smile and joke but expect your best.
Adelina Cato, MD
Hometown: Albemarle, NC
Undergraduate: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Stats: I am the youngest of 8 children, and I have a cat named Charlie.
Hobbies: I love music – classical violin, piano, singing. I also enjoy movies, crocheting,
diamond painting, jigsaw puzzles, bowling, escape rooms, spin class, game night, and
being active in my church.
What I did before medical school: I worked in a rural primary care clinic in Rocky Mount, NC, as a MedServe Fellow.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: UT-Jackson was the first program to contact me during SOAP. After meeting the team
and learning about how strong the curriculum was, it was quickly the program to beat.
During a stressful time, this is the place that felt right – genuinely supportive
people, stellar education, and an unopposed program – it was a no-brainer for me.
I truly believe UT-Jackson will make me the best physician I could possibly be.
Lismar Collado Colon, MD
Hometown: Cayey, Puerto Rico
Undergraduate: University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Puerto Rico
Medical School: University of Medicine and Health Sciences, St. Kitts
Stats: I am currently single and a proud dog mom.
Hobbies: I enjoy mostly outdoors activities, particularly going to the beach, to the park,
traveling and exploring different places. I also love to cook, paint, read and go
to the gym. Lastly, but no less important, I love to spend quality time with family
and friends.
What I did before medical school: While I was doing my bachelor degree General Sciences and to cover my own expenses
during that time I worked in a retail store.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: During the Match process, UT-Jackson stood out to me for being a well rounded program,
by being an unopposed and community based program. I was captivated by the strong
Women's Health component and their plans of opening an OB/GYN Fellowship, which has
been a big interest of mine since the beginning. During interviews I got a better
understanding of the program and the welcoming environment; residents and staff members
were so caring and genuine that I knew I wanted to be part of it. I was able to picture
myself living in Tennessee and thriving in a program that would not only give me the
necessary tools to achieve my goals, but also the most needed support through residency.
I believe this program has all the qualities to help me succeed as a resident and
become a knowledgeable, outstanding physician and the best version of myself.
Joan "Cori" Crenshaw, MD
Hometown: Gadsden, TN
Undergraduate: MTSU
Medical School: CMU-SOM
Stats: I am a west TN local and so happy to be home! I grew up in the Gadsden and Humboldt
areas, graduated high school in Jackson, and worked on our family tree farm in Trenton.
My husband is also starting as a resident physician this year too! We have one feisty
feline named Henselae.
Hobbies: long-distance running, MMA, tang soo do, weightlifting, horseback riding, gaming,
reading, traveling, and language-learning
What I did before medical school: I worked as an ESL teacher in Normandy, France. Before that, I worked with a Forensic
Anthropology Search and Recovery Team at MTSU excavating skeletal remains at crime
scenes here in Tennessee.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I was actually born here in the Jackson General Hospital, so this already feels
like home! I shadowed multiple physicians in Jackson when I was in college and they
are simply phenomenal physicians and were incredibly inspiring! My late grandfather,
Dr. Tom was also a Family Medicine physician and he absolutely loved being a physician
here. Everyone at UT-Jackson immediately made me feel welcomed and were so well-rounded,
optimistic, and confident that it was easy to see that this was the program for me!
Simina Gabor, MD
Hometown: Canton, MI
Undergraduate: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine
Stats: I was born in Romania and immigrated to the United States with my family when I
was 5 years old. I am the youngest of three siblings. I am married to my wonderful
husband.
Hobbies: I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy traveling, cooking,
gardening, shopping and watching movies.
What I did before medical school: I worked as a pharmacy technician at CVS Pharmacy while earning my undergraduate
degree and then as a surgical scheduling coordinator at Michigan Spine & Brain Surgeons.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I never thought I would end up in Jackson Tennessee for my residency training; however,
when I visited the area for my in-person interview and met the dedicated team behind
the UT-Jackson program, I knew I had found something special. My decision to choose
UT-Jackson was driven by its stellar reputation as an unopposed program that offers
comprehensive training in family medicine. I firmly believe that UT-Jackson will best
equip me with a robust foundation of skills to excel as a family physician. Yet, what
truly makes UT-Jackson exceptional is the authentic sense of camaraderie and the family-like
atmosphere it fosters.
Matthew Michael Harrison MD
Hometown: Greenville, SC
Undergraduate: Furman University
Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina
Stats: I'm currently looking forward to spending time in the beautiful Tennessean outdoors
during my training!
Hobbies: I enjoy outdoor activities like going to the beach, swimming, hiking, and running.
What I did before medical school: I worked for a German biotech company in Rochester, New York.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: UT Jackson has an excellent reputation as an unopposed and heavily procedural program
that prepares graduates for any style of practice they wish to pursue. Having an interest
in rural practice, I knew that UT Jackson would provide me with the rigorous didactics
and rotation experiences I would need to thrive as a family practitioner in this environment.
They have a strong family culture, and the faculty are clearly committed towards ensuring
our success as physicians. For me, the choice was obvious.
Kenneth Logan Lessenberry, MD
Hometown: Milan, TN
Undergraduate: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stats: My girlfriend, Jenna, and I will be celebrating our 7-year anniversary in June.
We have two miniature dachshunds, Babette and Fluff.
Hobbies: I enjoy weightlifting and doing lots of outdoor activities such as fishing, disc
golf, playing tennis, and spending time with friends and family.
What I did before medical school: I worked as an EKG technician at Jackson General Hospital.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: My decision to choose this residency program was greatly influenced by my positive
experiences during multiple medical school rotations at UT Jackson. Being close to
my hometown and family further solidified my choice. The warmth and camaraderie among
the faculty, residents, and their families during a summer research project during
my M1 year and clinical rotations at UT Jackson left a lasting impression on me. I
could envision myself being a part of this close-knit community for years to come.
Additionally, the program's unopposed nature and impressive history made it an easy
and exciting decision for me.
J. Parker Lewis, MD
Hometown: Jackson, TN
Undergraduate: Union University, Jackson, TN
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stats: My wife, Megan, and I will be celebrating our two-year wedding anniversary in May
2024. We are so happy to celebrate the birth of our daughter Lilah in March 2024.
Hobbies: My wife and I love to spend time outdoors with our daughter and three dogs. We enjoy
going to the dog park and going on walks. I also enjoy gardening, tennis, raising
chickens, and fishing.
What I did before medical school: I came to medical school straight from Union. At Union, I enjoyed working in different
departments within the Office of Student Life, as well as working as a CNA at the
local hospital.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: There were three main aspects that I sought during the interview process from a
residency program. I wanted to train at a program where Family Medicine was respected.
In Jackson, there is a rich network of alumni physicians that promote the program
both at the hospital and in the community. Further, the ER physicians are all Family
Medicine trained. Secondly, I wanted a program that provided a comprehensive educational
experience in all aspects of Family Medicine. On my rotations here, I can verify that
this program trains a family physician well in all aspects of medicine. Finally, I
wanted to train at a program where I could serve underserved communities. Madison
County sits at the junction of multiple counties in West Tennessee with shortages
in primary care, mental health care, and obstetrical care. Also, there is a large
Spanish speaking population. With these three aspects, Jackson was the ideal place
for me to train.
Bethany McSwain, DO
Hometown: Paris, TN
Undergrad: The University of TN, Knoxville
Medical school: Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Stats: My husband and I are from Paris, TN and we are very excited to be moving closer
to home! We have two dogs, George Tucker and Severus Snape.
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time in nature appreciating God’s beautiful creation. I love to
spend time with my family, walking my dogs, running, and reading a good book.
What I did before medical school: During undergrad, I was very involved in the local ministry. I served as Chaplain
in a Christian Sorority and got to lead young women closer to Christ. I also went
on a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic.
Why I chose UT Jackson: As my husband and I planned for our future, we desired to move closer to our hometown
to be near family. When I first visited UT Jackson, I knew it was the perfect fit
for us. The community, relationships, and support between residents and faculty was
immediately evident. I wanted a residency where I could grow both as a physician and
as a person, and I knew I found it here. I can’t wait to see what the next three years
have in store for us.
Mary Ann Nicholas, MD
Hometown: Tarpon Springs, Florida
Undergraduate: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Medical School: American University of the Caribbean, St. Maarten
Stats: First generation physician and proud member of a large Greek family. I have two
older brothers and a younger sister. Aunt to my two adorable nephews!
Hobbies: I love spending time in the sun, exploring different cultures and cuisines, enjoying
time with friends and family, and watching old Hollywood films.
What I did before medical school: I worked as a medical scribe in various work settings including the emergency department,
family medicine outpatient clinic, and specialist outpatient clinics. I also volunteered
at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida where I interacted and cared for patients
and their families.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I felt very comfortable with the faculty and residents during my interview. I could
envision myself working here with this welcoming, supportive group of people and felt
I could call this place home. Not to mention, the residency program is unopposed,
very well established, and has strengths in emergency medicine and obstetrics/gynecology,
which are some of my interests. After my interview, I could not stop thinking about
UT-Jackson because it had everything I was looking for in a residency program. I am
grateful I have this incredible opportunity to train here because I feel UT-Jackson
will help me become the best, well-rounded family physician I can be.
China Pierrelus, DO
Hometown: Naples, FL
Undergraduate: Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Stats: I lifetime goal of mine is to travel to every continent (may exclude Antarctica).
To date, I have traveled to 5 of the 7. Australia is my next stop!
Hobbies: I enjoy most outdoor activities (hiking, jet skiing, taking walks, etc.), crocheting,
boxing, and traveling.
What I did before medical school: I worked as a middle school teacher.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: From the moment I met the team at UT-Jackson, I felt welcomed. Knowing I will be
in an extremely supportive program with the rigorous demands of residency was vital
to me. In addition, with my high interest in women’s health, being an unopposed program
made my choice that much easier.
John Michael Sisco, DO
Hometown: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Undergraduate: Arkansas Tech University, Russellville, AR
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State
University
Stats: I am the youngest of three siblings. Most of my family is still in Arkansas so I
like to visit when I can.
Hobbies: Outdoors I enjoy hiking, running, kayaking, camping, gardening, and playing sports
(tennis, soccer, and racquetball). Indoors I love playing board games, watching movies,
or reading.
What I did before medical school: I had a gap year prior to matriculating into medical school where I held 4 jobs.
I worked as the graduate assistant for the alumni office of my undergraduate university
while starting my masters in Psychology. I also worked at the Barnes and Noble on
campus. Healthcare wise I worked as an ED Tech and Switchboard Operator at Saint Mary’s
Regional Health System in Russellville, AR.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: After doing an audition rotation I fell in love with the program. The sheer volume
of patients with varying acuity and being an unopposed family medicine program was
impressive in and of itself. In addition to that the faculty were the most knowledgeable
and easiest to talk to out of every program I had looked at. The residents I got to
interact with had nothing but good things to say about the place they worked and the
program they were a part of.
Aamir Telia, MD
Hometown: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Undergraduate: Brock University, St. Catharines, ON
Medical School: XUSOM
Stats: Canada --> Chicago --> Jackson. Enamored with the opportunity to train in the best
specialty with my best friend in the best program.
Hobbies: Cooking, lifting, gaming, tutoring, reading sci-fi novels, technology, and film/TV
analysis.
What I did before medical school: I was a personal trainer and massage therapist.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: In the age of virtual interviews, it's something special when a program takes the
time to interview its candidates in person. When it's also an unopposed program with
access to prestigious fellowships, faculty who genuinely care about their residents,
and glowing recommendations from current residents - coming here was an obvious choice.
I cannot wait to plant roots in Jackson and make it my forever home.
Hunter Willis, DO
Hometown: Kannapolis, NC
Undergraduate: High Point University, High Point, NC
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Stats: I am a follower of Messiah, a husband, and a father. I am grateful to be a first-generation
college graduate and physician.
Hobbies: You can find me spending time with my family, homesteading, hunting, overlanding,
or deep in theological study.
What I did before medical school: I served my community as an EMT throughout undergrad, obtained my master’s degree
in biomedical science at Liberty University, then worked as a high school teacher
and athletic trainer.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: As an unopposed program that puts an emphasis on comprehensive family medicine,
Jackson provides all the opportunities needed to practice full-spectrum family medicine
including breadth and depth in procedural medicine. The leadership is entirely supportive
of osteopathic manipulative medicine and fosters an environment enabling development
of my skills. During my two away rotations at Jackson, I experienced the incredible
volume of patients, diversity of pathology, and acuity the residents are entrusted
with daily. Additionally, these residents are truly competent, and I am confident
the team here will push me to be my best as a physician.