Class of 2029

Hometown: Tellico Plains, TN
Undergraduate: East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Medical School: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM)
Stats: My family moved from Louisiana to Tennessee when I was 7, so while I proudly consider myself an east TN girl, I'll never turn down some good Cajun food. I'm also the first in my family to attend college. I have a 4-year-old Basset Hound named Boba Fett, who is equal parts love and slobber.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy working out, cooking, crocheting, doing jigsaw puzzles, and watching reality TV shows like Survivor and The Traitors.
What I did before medical school: I worked several jobs, including selling dresses at David's Bridal and scribing in both an emergency room and ophthalmology clinic. I also earned a master's degree in biomedical science from West Liberty University.
Why I chose UT Jackson: I knew I wanted to spend my residency at UT Jackson within the first week of my audition rotation. The faculty and residents were incredibly welcoming and made it clear that I'd receive top-notch education here. As someone who is still undecided on what I want my career to look like, it was important to me to choose a program that would provide strong, well-rounded training in all aspects of family medicine. Beyond that, I was drawn to the people. I connected quickly with the residents and could easily see myself working alongside them through the long days and nights of residency. The strong sense of community here was apparent from day one. 

Hometown: Chalfont, PA
Undergraduate: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Medical School: The University of Queensland - Ochsner 
Stats: I have an extensive book collection, and I am the proud Aunt of four doggos- Snoop, Martha, Truffles, and Bentley. I will do ANYTHING for a Reese's cup, and I am an avid Philly sports fan. Go Birds! 
Hobbies: I enjoy reading – from classics to short stories to poetry, if there are words on a page I will read it! I also like to do anything that involves the outdoors, especially hiking and swimming. If I'm not outside, I'm usually trying out new italian recipies with my pasta machine. 
What I did before medical school: I worked for Merck as a biotechnician for the HPV vaccine. 
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I chose UT - Jackson because it represents the training environment that will shape me into the physician I aspire to be. Throughout the interview process, I was drawn to the program’s commitment to true full-spectrum family medicine, its strong procedural training, and the culture I experienced — a supportive community of residents and faculty who challenge one another to grow while fostering genuine camaraderie. As someone who hopes to practice broad-spectrum family medicine with an emphasis on procedures and teaching, I chose UT - Jackson because I wanted a program that would both support and push me, ultimately.

Undergraduate: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stats: I'm a big sister to a younger brother and have a very sweet and shy cat named Juniper.
Hobbies: I like to spend my free time playing video games and doing arts and crafts like crochet, beading, and clay. I love to go out for a nice meal with my friends.
What I did before medical school: I spent a gap year working as a medical assistant at a low cost clinic in Birmingham and loved it!
Why I chose UT-Jackson: Having gone to UTHSC, I was lucky enough to rotate in Jackson for Family Medicine. My experience with the people and learning as well as the unopposed nature of the program and its proximity to home made it easy to commit to Jackson as part of the 3 Year MD program.

Hometown: Kennesaw, GA
Undergraduate: Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL
Stats: My husband, Jackson, and I have a golden retriever and a cat,  and we are big Auburn fans. 
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time outdoors, especially hiking, fishing and kayaking. I also love bowling and traveling. 
What I did before medical school: I worked in clinical trials focusing on psychiatric medications and at-home COVID-19 testing.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I chose UT-Jackson for its strong clinical training and supportive environment. After my interview, I could feel how welcoming the program was, and I found myself comparing every other interview experience to it. I was especially drawn to the sense of community among the residents and faculty, as well as the opportunity to train in an unopposed, full-spectrum program with the flexibility to pursue any path within family medicine. I knew that this program would provide the foundation I need to grow into the best, well-rounded and compassionate physician I can be. 

Hometown: Rochelle, IL
Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago
Medical School: Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Stats: My husband and I are from the Chicago area. While traveling all over the country together, we fell in love with Tennessee and knew that we wanted to make it our home someday!
Hobbies: I have been a distance runner for over 10 years and completed my first marathon while in medical school! I also enjoy hiking, going to the gym, cooking, and baking homemade sourdough bread!
What I did before medical school: During undergrad, I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a local nursing home. I also worked as a Resident Assistant for 3 years at Loyola and was a student leader of the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) Program, a program for college freshmen interested in pursuing research.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: When choosing a residency program, I knew that I wanted to train somewhere that would prepare me for a career in Rural Medicine. I wanted a broad-spectrum Family Medicine curriculum that would give me the training and confidence to be the best physician I can be while also learning in a supportive environment. What struck me during my interview was how friendly everyone was and the endless opportunities that were available for residents. I was also so impressed to see the many career paths that residents could take after graduation. I knew that this program would prepare me well for a future career serving the rural communities of Tennessee.

Hometown: Bon Aqua, TN
Undergraduate: Union University, Jackson, TN
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stats: I am grateful to be a first-generation college graduate and physician. My wife, Tasha, grew up in Milan/Lexington, and we met in 2020 during employee orientation at JMCGH. We are so excited to be back in Jackson as we celebrate the birth of our first son in May 2026!
Hobbies: I love spending time with Tasha and our two dogs, Cooper and Heath, whether that be cooking, gardening, traveling, walking at the park, or playing board games. I also love watching football and soccer, playing basketball, soccer, and golf, and completing handy-man/DIY projects.
What I did before medical school: I worked at JMCGH as a patient transporter for 2 years while obtaining my bachelor’s degree and taking graduate biology and pharmacy courses at Union.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I was fortunate to rotate here as a 3^rd year medical student when my eyes were opened to the beauty of comprehensive family medicine and decided to pursue this field. I spent 2 more months here during 4^th year in which I garnered a deep appreciation for the culture of the program, the relationships between faculty and residents, the outstanding abilities of the residents, and the diversity, acuity, and volume of the patient population. All these qualities in an unopposed setting made it obvious to me that UT-Jackson is the best place to develop into a complete, confident physician.

Hometown: Franklin, TN
Undergraduate: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
Stats: I am the oldest of 4 children. I'm slightly obsessed with Steph Curry and Carlos Alcaraz.
Hobbies: Golf, tennis, basketball, and running. I also enjoy film, music, reading, hiking, skiing, and even some writing from time to time. 
What I did before medical school: I earned a Master's of Public Health in Health Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois Chicago and performed research on food policy in the greater Chicago area.
Why I Chose UT-Jackson: When I rotated here in medical school, I was able to connect with many of the residents and faculty. I love the community feel of the program and how the residents and attendings are able to laugh and joke around with each other. I expect the next three years to be challenging, but I feel confident I will be uplifted and supported by my colleagues, and I am prepared to do the same for them.

Hometown: Greenwood, MS
Undergraduate: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Medical School: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University
Stats: Born and raised in Mississippi. I am married to my wife, an ICU nurse, and we have a toddler son who has discovered Led Zeppelin, largely through parental pressure. We have two cats named Ella Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing music and doing most anything outdoors.
What I did before medical school: I worked summers as a white-water rafting guide on the Ocoee River in Tennessee while completing my undergraduate and graduate degrees in music. I also worked as a clinical assistant in a wound care clinic at St. Dominic Hospital and a research fellow at the RANE Center in Jackson, MS.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: From the moment I met the team, UT-Jackson felt like home. The supportive environment made it easy to picture myself growing there. With strong, unopposed, full scope training and a great group of faculty and residents, it felt like a place where I could thrive and become the kind of family physician I aspire to be.

Hometown: Chicago, IL
Medical School: PSG Institute Of Medical Sciences and Research - India
What I did before Medical School I went to medical school in India right after high school, where I met my amazing husband.
Hobbies: I love cooking and traveling, especially recreating recipes inspired by places I’ve visited. I had the opportunity to explore this passion while living and working in England for five years.
Stats: Married to a fellow resident and navigating life with a feisty toddler and adorable 8 month old. 
Why I chose UT-Jackson: We moved to Jackson last year when my husband began his residency, and I quickly grew to love the city for its warm and welcoming community. From the very beginning, the residents, attendings, and their families made us feel at home, creating a genuine sense of belonging. I could see why everyone spoke highly of the strong attending support, well-structured teaching, and various learning opportunities within the program. Being an unopposed residency program with a diverse patient population will provide an exceptional training environment, making it an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally as a physician.

Hometown: Paris, TN
Undergraduate: Sewanee: The University of the South
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Stats: I am a West Tennessee native with most of my family still in the area. I am excited at the opportunity to train close to home and serve the communities that I grew up in.
Hobbies: Growing up near Kentucky Lake fostered my passion for the outdoors in the form of hunting, fishing, hiking, and golf. I am also a passionate Tennessee Titans and Vanderbilt football fan.
What I did before medical school: I entered medical school directly from Sewanee. Prior to that, I actually worked as a veterinary clinic assistant for several years.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I had heard great things about UT-Jackson from friends and family. When I interviewed, I was even more impressed. The residents were all very compassionate and enjoyed being around one another. The faculty are incredibly supportive and invested in resident education. Finally, it was important to me to train in an unopposed setting in order to best prepare for future practice.

Hometown: Burton, TX
Undergraduate: McMurry University, Abilene, TX
Medical School: Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Stats: I am the middle child of four and a first-generation physician. I am an Air Force veteran, husband, and proud father of two boys (and two dogs)
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my family, coaching my sons’ sports teams, grilling, working out, gardening with my wife, and practicing Jiu-Jitsu.
What I did before medical school: I served in the United States Air Force as a mental health technician.
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I knew UT Jackson was the right place for both my training and my family after my interview. The residents and faculty created a welcoming, supportive environment that immediately felt like home. The hospital serves not only Jackson but also the surrounding rural communities, providing the breadth of experience I need to become a well-rounded rural physician. Additionally, the unopposed structure offers invaluable opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop procedural skills.

Hometown: Miami, FL
Undergraduate: Florida International University (FIU), Miami, FL
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM)
Stats: I am one of 9 children, five sisters, three brothers. I am currently happily married to my lovely husband!
Hobbies: I love crafts and activities. ukulele playing, knitting, painting, baking, cooking, if it's a hands on creative skill, I am more than likely on-board! I also love hosting and hanging out at home, especially with a charcuterie board (no pun intended ;)).
What I did before medical school: I was a board-certified Florida educator, working as a special needs high school math teacher. 
Why I chose UT–Jackson: After rotating at UT–Jackson I was quickly impressed about the support provided to the residents and patience to teach. The curriculum was comprehensive, the hands-on skills opportunity was excellent, and heavy OB/gyn experience assured me that I would be trained in all fields needed to minister to my community as a future doctor.

Hometown: Eads, TN
Undergraduate: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University - Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Knoxville, TN
Stats: I grew up in West Tennessee in Fayette County. I have an identical twin sister, as well as two more sisters. My husband went to college at Freed Hardeman University just south of Jackson. 
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking and baking, as well as reading mystery and sci-fi books. I am also active in my church. 
What I did before medical school: I went straight through from undergrad to medical school. During undergrad, I worked as a clinical assistant at RedMed urgent care in Arlington, TN. 
Why I chose UT-Jackson: My main reasons for choosing this program stem from the culture and curriculum. First, the residents and faculty in this program are approachable and truly care about each other's and the program's success. Second, this program being unopposed with rigorous and comprehensive training sets up residents to thrive in their careers. On top of these things, the location in Jackson provides opportunities to interact with patients from a diverse area in west TN. 

Hometown: Park Hills, MO
Undergraduate: University of Missouri
Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine
Stats: I am the oldest of 3 children, I am married to my high school sweetheart (Emma), and I have a 6 year old goldendoodle (Paisley)
Hobbies: I love to be in the outdoors backpacking, camping, golfing, and fishing. We love to walk our dog as much as we can!
What I did before medical school: I worked for a directional drilling company and owned a landscaping business
Why I chose UT-Jackson: I chose UT-Jackson because I felt that the atmosphere and training encompassed the type of family physician I want to be in my career. The emphasis on creating physicians who can go out and comfortably practice the full scope of family medicine is what drew me here. Combined with the welcoming and friendly residents and faculty, I was beyond excited to match at UT-Jackson!