Current Residents | Emergency Medicine Residency | Graduate Medical Education

Devin Brown, DO, PGY2

Medical School: Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: It’s hard finding a place that covers it all, but you can find it here. This program creates amazing ER physicians that can tackle anything the world throws at them whether they’re stranded on a desert island or in the middle of Gotham City itself. Not only that, but it’s also a wonderful place to raise a family, to train for Ironman competitions, and to find peaceful countryside with blue skies on your days off. It’s home.

Davin Combs, MD, PGY2

Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: I attended medical school at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine here in Roanoke, VA and opted to stay for my emergency medicine residency training. My favorite things about Roanoke are the people, the abundance of outdoor activities and the central location to much of the eastern United States. My favorite things about VTC EM are my co-residents, the training environment, and the receptiveness of faculty to fostering resident interests. Overall, this is an excellent place to train, and live, and affords the unique opportunity to train in an incredibly busy and acute department while living somewhere incredibly managable and awesome.

Madison Greco, DO, PGY2

Medical School: Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: I grew up in Florida (go Gators) and moved to NC for medical school. I chose to couples match at VTCEM for several reasons. All of the residents and faculty I met between my 4th year rotation and interview day were welcoming, encouraging, and kind, and I knew I find many wonderful friends and mentors during my time here. The location of the hospital system appealed to me, allowing for learning experiences at a Level 1 trauma center with high volume, large catchment area and very sick patients, and community experiences at the other hospitals in the Carilion system. I love that the program encourages the residents to be comfortable with point of care ultrasound as this is quickly becoming an integral aspect of emergency care. My partner and I also love the area—the mountains are beautiful and there are so many fun outdoors things to do--we are excited to call Roanoke home for the next 3 years!

J Daniel Gumayan, MD, PGY2

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: EM Residency seemed to care about their residents. From the initial interviews and talking to current residents, the faculty in general were great teachers. I also want to do a Wilderness Medicine Fellowship and VTCEM has strong program for that.

Kelsi Harden, DO, PGY2

Medical School: Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC because of the patient population; we see incredibly sick people from West Virginia, Tennessee, SW Virginia, and North Carolina. We are an academic program with a community twist, training in multiple ED settings and strong in Wilderness Medicine, EMS, and Ultrasound. As someone interested in working in multiple different remote and urban ED settings over the course of a career, the program's approach to education ("train here, go anywhere") really resonated.

Duy Huynh, MD, PGY2

Medical School: Brody School of Medicine at ECU

Why VTCEM: The Emergency Medicine Program here at Carilion provides residents with a wide range of pathologies in a diverse population. I was drawn to come here due to the abundance of high acuity and high-volume cases that I would also have a chance to play a role in. So far, I love how much the faculty here truly have a passion not only for teaching, but also the wellbeing of the residents and program's overall success.

Prakash Kharel, MBBS, PGY2

Medical School: Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu

Why VTCEM: Roanoke reminds me a lot of the Kathmandu Valley - endless outdoor opportunities! There is so much to learn in the ED.

Andrea Klein, MD, PGY2

Medical School: The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Science

Graduate School (MPH): The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC EM because I love the Roanoke Valley, the amazing faculty, staff, and residents in the department, and the outstanding and robust training environment. Since starting here, I’ve made incredible friends amongst my coresidents and have learned much more than I thought was possible in 4 months.

Kathleen Morrisroe, MD, PGY2

Medical School: UConn School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC because not only is it a fantastic program that gives me both community and academic exposure, the people here are also incredibly supportive. When I came to visit, so many of the residents made a huge effort to come out and get to know me. It was clear that everyone here had a great community, and I have felt that I was a part of that since the day I matched here. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and I have had the opportunity to learn both on and off shift from so many brilliant and talented faculty and co-residents. Plus the views in Southwest Virginia are more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen!

Christine Neal, DO, PGY2

Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: I knew I wanted to explore the east coast for the next chapter and Virginia has not disappointed! VTEM has exceeded my expectations in terms of education, mentorship, attending quality, resident bonding and facilities. The attendings are approachable and have incredible training backgrounds that are great resources. Roanoke is also a beautiful city with great weather and a peaceful place to be doing residency.

Nikki Nunez, MD, PGY2

Medical School (MD): SUNY Upstate Medical University

Graduate School (MPH): SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University (combined degree)

Why VTCEM: I chose VTCEM for the location and large catchment area allowing for a learning experience including urban and rural EM, penetrating and blunt traumas and pediatric ED experience. I love the support and encouragement the program offers from my co-residents, program leadership and other faculty. I also love to still have seasons and weather a little warmer than NY. P.s. I really appreciate that I am able to get a chopped cheese out here (NYC people know what I'm talking about).

Jacqueline Steffen, DO, PGY2

Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Graduate School (MSN): University of Texas at Austin

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC EM because of the people and the great training. You won't find better pathology, a busier department, more dedicated faculty, or better residents anywhere else.

Alex Atwood, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: What's great about VTC EM is the incredible sense of community, from the outstanding faculty to the friendly residents. The location itself is a gem, offering so many outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and disc golf. We have a personal attachment to this place from our med school days, and it's now where we call home, with Bella, our energetic pup!

Andrew Blair, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: When looking for residency programs, the mountains where I was raised drew me back in. I was looking for a program that provided exceptional training while preserving our life outside of the hospital. VTC has done just that and has aided in my personal and professional growth with an unmatched level of respect and humanity. I brought with me two dogs and an ICU nurse that would make anywhere feel like home, but all of us are glad that it’s Roanoke.

Andrew Brown, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTCEM for residency for a few reasons, the main one being that the program faculty and ED attendings were awesome! When I worked with them during medical school and met with them at the EM interest groups, they were always helpful and have strong interests in teaching. I also grew to love the Roanoke area during my time in medical school here, as there is a lot to do if you enjoy the outdoors! The residency program provides ample opportunities to take care of critically ill patients and perform plenty of procedures as well.

Daniel Calick, MD, PGY3

Medical School: West Virginia University School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose the program after connecting with Dr. Fortuna during my interview. Here at Virginia Tech, we have a unique opportunity to serve patients from Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Since starting residency, I've been blown away by the strong support I've received from the faculty as well as my co-residents!

Zach Carel, MD, PGY3

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School - Twin Cities

Why VTCEM: Hey all. I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO (Go Cardinals - Go Blues!) I prioritized Carilion during the match because of the unique opportunity it to practice emergency medicine in a variety of settings. Not many programs have their residents routinely rotate through academic, community, and rural hospitals during their training. In my free time I enjoy watching/playing sports, going on hikes, and spending time at home with my wife and pets.

Dan Doynow, DO, PGY3

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Graduate School (MPH): The University of Vermont

Why VTCEM: When I was looking for a residency, my goal was to find a place where I would receive incredible training, but not sacrifice my quality of life outside of the hospital. It's hard to find high-acuity and large-volume in a mountain town, but Roanoke has it! I have been blown away by the training and supportive faculty we have here. I could not imagine training anywhere else.

Zoe Heis, DO, PGY3

Medical School: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC EM because of the because of the acuity of patients that present to the Emergency Department and the wide variety of pathology that we see. The faculty and staff are great mentors and their enthusiasm for teaching is one of the aspects that really stood out to me while interviewing. The resident community at Carilion is second to none. The support I receive from my co-residents is unmatched and I am grateful to be in a program that is truly like family.

Andrew Lee, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine

Why VTCEM: VTCEM exposes you to an incredible amount of pathology right in the heart of Southwest Virginia. Training here will provide you with all the tools and knowledge to excel in the field of Emergency Medicine. You get this opportunity while working under the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kaitlyn McBride, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

Why VTCEM: I wanted to attend a strong program in the southeast where I would feel supported by the faculty to pursue any interests that I might develop during residency, and it was clear to me through my virtual interactions on interview day that VTC encouraged that. Furthermore, the large catchment area we serve provides an excellent level of pathology to learn from, and we have consistently heard feedback from recent graduates that they felt well-prepared to handle whatever comes through the door as an attending thanks to their training here. The low cost of living and beautiful landscape of Roanoke doesn’t hurt either!

Adam Reiss, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Why VTCEM: I fell in love with the people and location along the interview trail, even virtually. The combination of sick patients from all over the region and a welcoming atmosphere seemed like an ideal place to train, and I haven’t been led astray.

Emily Schaeffer, DO, PGY3

Medical School: Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTC because I really liked my interactions with the residents and faculty. Everyone was so welcoming! I also love the mountains and all of the fun adventures this area has to offer.

Will Taber, MD, PGY3

Medical School: Florida State University College of Medicine

Why VTCEM: I chose VTCEM not only because of the opportunities to explore amazing hiking and
natural adventures, but also because of its culture of mutual support and excellent training the program offers. I am able to pursue my goals of incorporating EMS, tactical medicine, and international medical aid with equally as much time exploring and traveling as residency allows.

Emergency Medicine Residency