PGY-3
Emma Laramie
Hometown: Fresno, CA
Undergrad: California State University, Fullerton
Med School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Movie: How do you choose just one?! Some favorites are Inglorious Bastards, Goodfellas, The Princess Bridge
Favorite food/candy: Korean Fried Chicken
Favorite thing about DC/MD: So many great food places to try
Favorite thing about the program: All of the great people - residents, faculty, and staff all included
Leya James
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Undergrad: Wayne State University
Med School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Favorite Movie: The TV Series This is Us
Favorite food/candy: All things dark chocolate
Favorite thing about DC/MD: We are minutes away from both monuments and mountains! Best of both worlds.
Favorite thing about the program: The emphasis on diversity is one of my favorite things about the program. From day one, we have been learning about and discussing the intersections between DC history, racism, social determinants of health, and access to care. We try to understand our biases and learn from our mistakes while celebrating our own stories and the stories of our patients.
Aida Rezene
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario Canda
Undergrad: University of Windsor
Med School: NSU-KPCOM
Favorite Movie: Harry Potter Series
Favorite food/candy: Cookie dough ice cream
Favorite thing about DC/MD: The diversity in cultures and the fact that there's never a dull moment - always so much to see and so much to do!
Favorite thing about the program: Its dedication to underserved communities, the supportive faculty, and my amazing co-residents!
Jeremiah Whittington
Hometown: Harvey, IL
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Favorite Movie: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite food/candy: Anything pizza or sushi
Favorite thing about DC/MD: The diversity, the food, & the people
PGY-2
Oscar Hernandez
Hometown: El Paso Texas, “Sun City”
College: University of Texas at El Paso
Med School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Movie: Impossible questions for me, but if I had to pick my top three are Interstellar, La La Land and The Dark Night
Favorite Food/Candy: Mole con arroze rojo
Favorite Thing about DC/MD: How walkable DC is, the beauty of all the greenery, and I’m especially looking forward to exploring as many Restaurant Weeks as I can with my wife!
Favorite thing about the program: I had the opportunity to complete a Sub-I here, and from the very beginning, I was welcomed and guided to grow into a better version of myself. I love how this program has become my new family, and I’m truly excited to be a part of it.
Khara Chea-Howard
Hometown: San Diego, CA
College: Norfolk State University
Med School: George Washington University
Favorite Movie: Elf/Mean Girls/ White Chicks depending on the day
Favorite Food/Candy: Korean BBQ or Reese’s Cups
Favorite thing about DC/MD: The lively culture and the amazing eats
Favorite thing about the program: The program truly feels like a family, everyone is beyond supportive and attentive to helping us reach our goals. The diversity of the clinic speaks volumes and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else!
Daryle Howard
Hometown: Naperville, IL
College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Med School: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Movie: The Express
Favorite Food/Candy: Veggie potstickers with gyoza sauce
Favorite thing about DC/MD: The people, the divers
Ciara Johnson
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College: Floria A&M University
Med School: William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Movie: Bad Boys
Favorite Food/Candy: Snow crabs with garlic on the side
Favorite thing about DC/MD: My favorite thing about DC is its rich and diverse culture. From go-go music to its vibrant art and food scene, the city feels alive with identity and pride. I feel right at home here
Favorite thing about the program: The people, what can I say. The culture here is genuinely supportive, and it reflects the true spirit of family medicine: connection, compassion, and community. It’s a place where I feel encouraged to grow not just as a physician, but as a person. I couldn’t have asked for a better program to train at.
Jessie Ngandjui
Hometown: Lynn, MA
College: University of Massachusetts Boston
Med School: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Favorite Movie: Not into movies as much but my favorite show is friends
Favorite Food/Candy: I love anything pasta
Favorite thing about DC/MD: Very lively city and there’s always an event happening. It’s just a matter of catching them
Favorite thing about the program: I’m really grateful to be part of a program where there is so much support.
Chelsea Nash
Hometown: Oakland, CA
College: Virginia State University
Med School: University of California Davis School of Medicine
Favorite Movie: Step Brothers
Favorite Food/Candy: Anything Thai food related
Favorite thing about DC/MD: One thing I really like about the DC/MD area is diversity. You’re constantly surrounded by different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. I also love that there’s always something going on, from festivals, brunch and museums to pop-ups and live music.
Favorite thing about the program: How incredibly mission aligned everyone is. People genuinely are here to do the hard work of bettering the medical system for historically marginalized patients.
PGY-1
Georgette Adae-Mensah
Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia.
College: I went to the University of Georgia
Med School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Favorite Movie: This is soo difficult! I will go with Troy (2004), starring Brad Pitt. Dark Knight trilogy is the other option if I could choose a second option.
Favorite Food/Candy: Mexican Cuisine is my favorite!
Favorite thing about DC/MD: The museums, history, and perfect blends of culture! I could not pick one because I feel they all intertwine with each other.
Favorite thing about the program: My favorite thing about the program is the emphasis on wellness and the supportive culture.
Taylor Colleton
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
College: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Med School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap (Fav Childhood Movie)
Favorite Food/Candy: Baked Mac & Cheese / Nerd's Gummy Clusters
Favorite thing about DC/MD: I was most attracted to DC because of the rich culture and diversity that exists within the city. There's so much to do and so much opportunity, so it feels like the type of city that doesn't get old. I am excited to explore and create new memories during residency.
Favorite thing about the program: My favorite thing about the program is the familial atmosphere and its dedication to health equity and serving the community.
Abby Nega
Hometown: New Albany, OH
College: Ohio State University
Med School: Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Favorite Movie: No favorite movie in particular! But my fave shows are Psych, Criminal Minds, and Love Island UK
Favorite Food/Candy: Anything related to chips and a dip
Favorite thing about DC/MD: So many fun (and often free!) activities to do nearby - festivals, museums, parks
Favorite thing about the program: I love the commitment to community that everyone at the program shares - it creates such a welcoming learning environment.
Breanna Ramsey
Hometown: Detroit, MI
College: Wayne State University
Med School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Favorite Movie: Shrek 2
Favorite Food/Candy: Snickers
Favorite thing about DC/MD: There's always something fun to do!
Favorite thing about the program: The people truly feel like family!!
Chania Witherspoon
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
College: University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Master of Biomedical Sciences Duke School of Medicine
Med School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville
Favorite Movie: The Notebook and This Christmas
Favorite Food/Candy: Hibachi
Favorite thing about DC/MD: I’m excited about the energy, diversity, and culture of the DC/Maryland area. I’m looking forward to exploring new neighborhoods, restaurants, museums, and community spaces while living in a region with so much history and opportunity.
Favorite thing about the program: My favorite thing about the program is how well it aligns with the type of family physician I hope to become. I’m excited to train in a setting that emphasizes community-centered care, caring for diverse and underserved populations, and developing broad family medicine skills across different clinical environments.
Halima White
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
College: Prairie View A & M University
Med School: Howard University College of Medicine
Favorite Movie: Letterboxd Top 4: Interstellar, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days, Fight Club, Princess and The Frog
Favorite Food/Candy: Indian food and Watermelon Sour Patch Kids
Favorite thing about DC/MD: Culture and Things to Do! Botanical Gardens to Brunch
Favorite thing about the program: Dedication to the community and of course the people