First Year Residents -
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Ryan J. Brang, M.D.
I was born and raised in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, which is a southeastern suburb of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
My undergraduate education was completed at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. For medical school, I attended Ross University. My pre-clinical years were spent on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, and my clinical training took place in New York City.
I’m attracted to Marquette for the great community atmosphere and the activities available. I enjoy being highly active in many sports and recreational activities. I enjoy volunteering and serving others whenever possible.
I look forward to enjoying my spare time and serving the community to the best of my abilities.
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Mark D. Cecilio, M.D.
I was born and raised in the melting pot of Southern California and come from a family that is just as mixed.
My parents arrived to the states from different parts of the world, but both had the same goal of finding success and happiness in America. They worked hard and taught me about the importance of family and being dedicated in whatever one chooses to do.
After high school I moved up to Northern California to the small college town of Davis, around the farmlands and close to the Sierra Nevadas. That is where I fell in love with the outdoors and I try to get out as much as possible.
During that time I also saw the learning opportunities one has when the stresses of a big city are removed, especially if interested in traditional primary care. That is what makes Marquette so special and what impressed me more than any other place I visited. Here I can live amongst endless natural beauty while training at a well-rounded program in an institution where people love to teach.
For medical school I took the opportunity to move to Budapest, Hungary to study in their English program. I felt that some aspects of that system were better and some worse, but overall it was a great experience and I got to see as much of Europe as time afforded, which I will never forget.
My last year of rotations were spent in Georgia, Ohio, and California, and that helped me transition back into the American system. After graduating I took some time off to prepare my applications and to travel some more, so I worked various jobs and got myself focused.
It’s been a long journey so far but I am excited and ready for this next chapter. I truly look forward to working with the great people I've met in this special place called the UP. So bring on da snow, eh!
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Kimberly A. Howard, D.O.
My first introduction to the Upper Peninsula began two years ago when I visited as a third year medical student.
I immediately was struck by the natural beauty and ample outdoor activities. The more time I spent in Marquette the more I came to realize the overwhelming sense of community that makes Marquette unique.
I have spent the previous fifteen years living and working in the Pacific Northwest. I earned a BS in Dental Hygiene at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR. I had the privilege of practicing clinical dental hygiene for six years prior to entering medical school, the time spent as a dental hygienist allowed for some great experiences. It instilled in me a desire to positively affect patient’s lives and a love for patient care.
I also had the opportunity to live and work in Lucerne, Switzerland. I enjoy traveling and the outdoors so living in Switzerland was a great adventure.
My dental hygiene career was an important stepping stone in my decision to pursue a career in medicine. I attended the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, PA. When I began my clinical rotations it became very clear that primary care was a great fit for me.
I was drawn to rural family medicine because it offers the opportunity to treat a wide range of patients and to be an integral part of the community. While on rotation at Marquette General Hospital I was impressed with the substantial knowledge base and exceptional patient care that I observed in the Family Practice residents and faculty.
My desire was to train at an unopposed, rural, dually accredited residency program. I am so excited to be a part of the Marquette Family Medicine Residency program. The quality of life in Marquette, Michigan is unsurpassed.
I am very lucky to have found a place that not only allows for all of the activities that I love; biking, running, hiking but also provides me with the training to become a competent, caring family physician.
Even though I have just moved to Marquette it already feels like home!
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Anthony V. Kamerschen, M.D.
I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where my loving parents still reside. They are very proud that I am becoming a family medicine physician.
I completed my undergrad at Grand Valley State University where I was lucky enough to meet the love of my life, my wife, Sara. She is a native of Escanaba, Michigan, and has been very patient and supportive through all of my medical schooling at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan.
Needless to say, both of us are very excited to be in a setting as picturesque as Marquette.
Aside from the breathtaking views of Lake Superior, Marquette General Hospital has so much to offer the budding family physician: from its wonderful teaching faculty to its cutting-edge health technologies, this learning environment is second to none.
My wife and I look forward to spending some time in this charming city and plan to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
I am a big fan of the outdoors and enjoy many sporting activities including baseball, tennis, racquetball and skiing. I am also looking forward to taking up mountain biking.
Some other interests of mine are hanging out with my wife, reading new and classic novels and unfortunately, watching some really lame TV shows.
I love my life and am grateful to God for all my blessings!
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Katie M. Kreft, M.D.
I grew up in Traverse City, MI but have always felt that my real home was located north of the Mackinac Bridge.
I have many happy memories of camping in the Keweenaw in the summer and chasing the snow up to Marquette for early season Nordic skiing in the fall.
I completed a BA in Biology from Carleton College, located in Northfield, MN. After college, I spent several years traveling and working as a phlebotomist at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City before starting medical school at the MSU College of Human Medicine.
I was lucky enough to be part of the Rural Physician Program at MSU, which allowed me to do my clinical years here at Marquette General Hospital. MGH was a wonderful environment in which to learn and I quickly realized that Marquette was the city I wanted to call home.
I entered medical school intending to become a Family Physician, and time spent in Houghton/Hancock with Family Physicians also convinced me that rural medicine was what I wanted to do.
Impressed with both the faculty and the residents in this program, I soon knew that the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program would allow me unique opportunities to learn in a friendly and supportive environment.
Part of the allure of Marquette centers on the opportunities for outdoor recreation. I am an avid Nordic skier, mountain biker and trail runner, and I enjoy living in a place where all of these activities can be done within a few miles of home.
As dog owners, my boyfriend and I have come to love hiking the beaches and trails with a happy Chessie bouncing ahead of us.
Marquette is going to be the perfect place to learn and to live.
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Padma Jyothi Narra, M.D.
I was born and brought up in Hyderabad, a city in southern India. I completed my medical education in India and joined my husband in United States who also happens to be a graduate of Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program.
I always wanted to be a good doctor and serve the people, and I intend to pursue this dream.
I still remember the day when I first arrived at Marquette from India. My husband drove me from the airport to our home. I was spell bound with the picturesque beauty and felt that of all the places that I have ever been throughout my life, this is the most beautiful place.
I must confess that this is the first time I have been to a place that gets so much snow and is very green during summer. Marquette seems to be a place which fits my nature very well and especially the people who are very friendly and made me feel welcome.
One of my favorite past times is to enjoy the long walks along Presque Isle Park, right by Lake Superior.
As the spouse of a medical resident I was fortunate to be able to get acquainted with the hospital system and faculty. As I interviewed at other residency programs, I realized there were some things which are unique to this program like the physician well being, which shows how much they care for the little things in life.
I have witnessed my husband's journey through the residency program. and I know how rewarding this experience can be, and I am looking forward to this.
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Jordan M. Povich, D.O.
I spent the majority of my childhood in rural areas—North Dakota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition, I completed my undergraduate degree at Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in Biochemistry. As such, I have come to appreciate the rural life.
I attended Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan, with my clinical years being spent in Lansing as well. Living in a medium-sized city further enhanced my desire to return to a rural setting.
The Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program was the logical choice for my residency for several reasons: it is close to both my wife’s and my families and it is in a great location.
The program has been well recommended to me and is a quality, unopposed residency. I was very impressed with the faculty and staff and believe it will provide a great variety of training opportunities due to the hospital’s status as a referral center for a wide area.
My wife and I are both excited to return the Upper Peninsula and start this new chapter in our lives!
Second Year Residents -
Shruthi Edunuri, M.D.
I am a bubbly girl with a lot of zest hailing from Hyderabad, India. I completed my medical schooling at Mamata Medical College in Khammam, India. Thereafter, I joined my husband in the U.S. My husband is a doctor himself, so there is a lot of learning at home too!
When I first landed in Marquette, I was amazed at the scenic settings, serenity of the place and kindness of the people. From my visit and the interview process, I know the residency program, with its great faculty and its artistry in training budding family physicians, will be a great experience.
For me becoming a doctor has been more a passion than a progression; and I believe the Marquette residency program is the perfect last step in realizing my dream.
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Bo Rowan, D.O.
I was born in Florida and raised in southeast Michigan. I received my undergraduate education at Northern Michigan University, earning a B.S. in Biology. After four U.P. winters, I decided to give Florida another try.
I attended Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During this time, I became interested in rural family medicine. I completed my first three years of training in Florida, but knew I’d eventually return to Michigan. For this reason, I spent the majority of my fourth year exploring programs in Michigan. This included a month at Marquette General Hospital, which has a great reputation for training rural physicians.
I was impressed with the complexity of the pathology, the friendliness of the people, and the enthusiasm for education. These factors, combined with an unopposed program at a regional medical center in a town as beautiful as Marquette, made the decision to return to the Upper Peninsula an easy one. I was very excited to come back to Marquette and could’t wait for some snow!
Now that I'm settled in, I appreciate the decision to come here even more than I expected. It's a great place and a wonderful opportunity!
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Sadaf Saleem, M.D.
I was born and raised in Islamabad, Pakistan. I completed my medical education at Rawalpindi Medical College and did an internship at Rawalpindi General Hospital. After coming to the USA with my husband, I got the chance to do research on an HIV Vaccine in the Biotechnology Department of Claflin University in South Carolina.
When I started applying for residency programs, I found the MGH Family Medicine Program exceptional for many reasons. It is a small, independent program that would allow me to work independently in a friendly environment. I also appreciate the flexibility and comprehensiveness of this program.
When I was interviewing, my most enjoyable experience was at Marquette where I was met with warm greetings and smiling faces as well as a sense of "family." My husband accompanied me and he felt the same. I decided to make Marquette my first choice.
Marquette is a wonderful place to raise your family. It has many recreational activities all year round including biking and downhill skiing. Lake Superior, with all its majestic views, is at the doorstep of MGH. My family and I fell in love with Marquette on our first visit.
I believe that MGH possesses all the attributes that will help me to achieve my career goals. I would highly recommend the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program to anyone considering a career in Family Medicine.
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Geeta Savla, M.D.
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, one of the busiest cities in India. I went to medical school in the same city and then worked as a resident medical officer for six months at Wockhardt hospital, which is a Harvard-affiliated hospital in India.
In order to develop research skills, I decided to pursue a Masters degree in Public Health in Houston, Texas. My three-year stay in the U.S. has been very enriching, as it has acquainted me with the U.S. health care system and helped me develop a strong research background.
As a person, I am very friendly and easygoing. I enjoy singing and playing my Casio. The Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program, in my opinion, is a very strong, unopposed program. Moreover, Lake Superior adds beauty to Marquette making it a wonderful place to live.
I am confident that the program will leave me very well trained in managing a wide variety of pathologies. I see myself becoming a very confident and competent family physician who is a learner for life. I'm glad I joined the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program and am offering my best to both the program and my patients. I am enjoying both working and living in Marquette.
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Pawneet Singh, M.D.
After doing my medical studies in India, I wanted to explore my horizons in every field. Working as an Extern in Canada gave me an opportunity to know about the health system in North America and also encouraged me to pursue my career in family medicine.
Choosing Marquette was an easy choice for me. I interviewed at many programs and found that the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program had a special feel.
I knew I would enjoy being part of the family here. The team atmosphere between faculty and residents provides an environment that promotes learning and an open forum for ideas. There was an emphasis on teaching evidence-based medicine along with a focus on exceptional patient care.
The faculty was enthusiastic, welcoming and very positive about the program when I interviewed. They were also very receptive to my needs and supportive of my interest. All these factors made my decision easy, and I am proud of being a part of this team.
On a personal level, I am a spiritual human who believes in God. I met my wife in college, and we got married this year after a successful, six-years relationship. In my spare time I love playing basketball, dancing, and spending time with family.
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Tony Tanious, M.D.
I grew up in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. I am an only child and I am thankful for my parents who have taught me the importance of God and loving others.
I graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Biology. I then had an opportunity to study basic medical sciences abroad on a five-square mile island in the Netherlands-Antilles, called Saba, also known as the unspoiled queen. That name made sense to me after enjoying the island’s natural beauty, a beauty that I never thought existed.
I then moved to Kansas City, Missouri, for my clinical training. I completed most of my medical school rotations at St. Luke’s Hospital and the VA medical center in downtown Kansas City. I also became involved with the international house of prayer (IHOP) while I was there. I then did my pediatrics rotation and an emergency medicine elective at Lincoln Medical Center, in the Bronx, New York.
I definitely have a passion for medical missions and for serving the underserved, so I was convinced that family medicine was the best choice for me. After several interviews, it only took one visit to Marquette to realize it was where I wanted to live while training to be an excellent physician. I truly felt like an honored guest during my visit. The camaraderie among the residents also impressed me.
The hospital is state of the art and serves the entire U.P. of Michigan and beyond, so I am seeing much pathophysiology and various treatments as well as building relationships with my patients.
On a personal note, I recently discovered that Trek tests their mountain bikes in Marquette, so, as a Trek owner, I am enjoying cycling in Marquette.
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Third Year Residents -
Sharon Boyce, M.D.
As a native of Brooklyn, New York, and raised in a family of Trinidadian immigrants, I was loved by the best parents a person could wish for. They instilled in me some of my present core values: to love God and to be diligent in all that my hands find to do, whether at home, school, work, or elsewhere.
Ever since I could remember, two of my most important goals were to be an outstanding doctor and teacher. Prior to entering medical school, I had already achieved my first goal, teaching and tutoring for well over ten years. After meeting my wonderful and supportive husband, Collin, my next goal of becoming a physician began to materialize at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia.
It has also been one of my dreams to serve as a physician in a rural community and I am excitedly fulfilling this dream in Marquette. On the day I interviewed last year, I was truly impressed with the camaraderie of the residents, the friendliness and support of the faculty and staff, and the unique atmosphere of Marquette.
During my visit to the town, I was struck by the friendliness of its citizens and was cognizant of a love of the outdoors, which I share. With Lake Superior just a stone's throw away, I needed no further convincing about making Marquette my new home.
Marquette has met all expectations and more. I have found Marquette to be an excellent place to continue my hobbies, including mentoring youth, teaching, singing, walking, biking and rollerblading, as well as my craftwork (crocheting, cross-stitching, sewing, embroidery and origami).
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Christopher Dehlin, M.D.
I was born and raised in Gladstone, Michigan, which is a small community on the southern part of the Upper Peninsula. After high school I went on to Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, where I earned a BS and MS in mechanical engineering. I worked for a year as an engineer in Brighton, Michigan, while applying to medical school.
My first two years of medical school were at Wayne State University and I lived in Ann Arbor with my wife, Jen, who was in medical school at the University of Michigan. I transferred to Michigan State University and joined the Rural Physicians Program at the U.P. campus to complete my third and fourth years of medical school and be with Jen who was entering the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program.
We welcomed our first child, Samuel, into our family in November 2006. But even with a new baby and our busy schedules we manage to find time to enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, especially road/mountain biking in the summer and Nordic skiing in the winter. Of course, this is made easier by the fact that there are trails and ski hills within 10 minutes of home.
I am now in my thid year and it has been a great experience. I have gotten involved in chronic disease management of diabetes with group visits. Furthermore, I have participated in Electronic Medical Record discussions and decisions. The faculty have a lot to offer and each contributes differently to the learning process.
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Lisa Knauf-Jorasz, D.O.
I grew up in Bark River, Michigan. I completed my undergraduate education at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin, where I earned my BS in biology. I then attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri.
My clinical years of medical school were based “below the bridge” in Saginaw, Michigan, which made me appreciate the Upper Peninsula even more.
I chose Marquette for my residency because of its great teaching faculty and its unique ability to train family physicians for rural medicine, not to mention the fact that it’s not far from my hometown.
Now that I've been here a few years, I can say that I'm truly glad that I did end up in Marquette for my residency training. The program really has met my expectations. Almost all the physicians that I have spent time with enjoy teaching and the fact that the program is unopposed has proven to be invaluable.
My husband also graduated from Bark River-Harris and we are both very happy to call Marquette our home. We have enjoyed experiencing all Marquette has to offer, especially the variety of outdoor activities.
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Katie Picucci, D.O.
I am a native of the Upper Peninsula, born and raised in Iron Mountain. I completed a BS in biology at Alma College and attended medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The majority of my last two years of medical training as a student were spent in rural areas, including Cheboygan Memorial Hospital and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City.
These experiences affirmed my desire to return to a medically underserved, rural community to practice. The friendliness of the people and sense of community attracted my husband and me back to the Upper Peninsula.
During my childhood and adolescence, I spent several summers training in Marquette as a competitive skater. The rural character, picturesque setting, and abundant and diverse cultural activities make Marquette an idea location.
As a medical student I had the opportunity to rotate through Marquette General Hospital and was impressed with the number and diversity of pathologies observed. I was also very impressed with the staff’s interest and enthusiasm for sharing information and teaching.
As a resident, I continue to feel the same. I am amazed at the variety of patients we come across every day and how much I have learned in such a short time. The program is flexible and supportive, encouraging residents to pursue individual interests with elective time over years 2 and 3. I could not be happier with my decision to pursue family medicine in Marquette!
Training at a regional medical center in an unopposed program, coupled with proximity to family and an amazing community, made the Marquette Family Medicine Residency the best match for me!
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Melanie Purres, M.D.
While most people would be nicely settled into their careers at this point in life, I have been provided the opportunity to begin a new adventure training at the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program. My journey to this point has been diverse and interesting.
I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. I earned my undergraduate degree at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia and, having already seen my own country coast to coast, I ventured to Asia for a year of exploration and adventure.
Upon my return I was drawn to the field of health, trained in therapeutic massage and started my company, Workers Rehabilitation Services, providing onsite services for the prevention and treatment of occupational injuries to various workplaces. Although both my work and business were very successful and rewarding, I felt that I could have a more comprehensive influence on peoples’ health and pursued medicine with the goal of becoming a primary care provider.
Older than the average medical student, the opportunity to pursue my new ambition was provided by an offshore medical school. My husband and I survived our long commute, infrequent visits and the various other stressors of living apart. We are thrilled to be living together again and have now made the United States our new home along with our two baby daughters.
Coming into the program, I believed it would provide exactly what I had been looking for: a strong unopposed program in a large teaching center with broad exposure, responsibilities, support and guidance so that upon completion I will be comfortable practicing the full gamut of primary care in a somewhat rural setting.
Now in my third year, I am more than happy with my decision. Marquette is a wonderful, family oriented community with incredibly beautiful landscape, endless recreational activities and, most importantly, wonderful people. Each day I discover yet another reason confirming that our family has made the right decision to relocate here. In my opinion, Marquette is one of America’s secret gems!
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Matthew Roberge, M.D.
I grew up in northern Michigan and learned to love the many opportunities for recreation and a relaxed lifestyle that life here presents. I went to college at Ferris State University where I met and fell in love with my future wife, Kristy. For the last four years we have been in the Detroit suburbs while I attended medical school at Wayne State University.
We were attracted to the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program for many reasons. I have an interest in international medicine; and I believe the Marquette program provides excellent training for working independently.
The program is located in a medical center with state of the art technology and excellent specialists available for teaching. We were both impressed with the way that we were welcomed as a family to the community.
These last two years have only reinforced my decision. I am very pleased with the program and happy to be here. I am also glad to report my fishing, hunting, and skiing equipment have come out of retirement and are getting plenty of use.
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Family Medicine Residency, 1414 West Fair Ave.
Suite 36, Marquette MI 49855
Inquiries
can be made by:
e-mail: residency@mgh.org
phone: 1-800-774-4844
