Rachel Belleville, DO
Undergraduate School: Grand Valley State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Growing up in Southeast Michigan, it was widely known that medicine at the University of Michigan was top-of-the-line. I always believed it was the best place for a patient with a rare or complex history or diagnosis. I was lucky enough to have an anesthesiology rotation here during my fourth year, which confirmed my beliefs about Michigan Medicine.
The University of Michigan is a leader among hospital systems in the nation due to their groundbreaking technology, cutting-edge research, and high standards for education. However, throughout the interview process, the University of Michigan’s program remained my top choice due to one main factor: the people. During my rotation at the University of Michigan, I found my colleagues and experiences to be both educational and enjoyable. The residents and attendings were very eager to share their knowledge and help me in any way. I was also impressed by the camaraderie and teamwork that the residents exhibited. Following my very positive interview experience, I knew I would fit in very well with the group. It was also a huge benefit for me to remain in Michigan, where my friends and family reside.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Trust your gut! It may seem silly, but your gut feeling about a program following an interview is probably a good way to tell if you will be happy ending up there. While it is important that the program you choose checks all of your boxes on paper, it is also important that you enjoy the conversations you have and the people you meet. Your residency program will be your home for the next four years so you want to be sure you pick the best fit for YOU!
Hobbies: I enjoy golf, reading, boating, baking, tennis, anything with animals, biking on my Peloton, going to concerts, hanging with friends/family, and seeing new movies.
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: TBD!
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I am looking forward to trying new restaurants and breweries, as well as checking out the University of Michigan sporting events.
Sam Bowers, MD/PhD
Undergraduate School: Stanford University
Graduate School: Northwestern University
Medical School: Northwestern University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I feel Michigan has the unique combination of excellent clinical training and world-class research infrastructure within my area of interest to be the best place for me academically. I also feel as though everyone I’ve met, from administrators to residents to the chair, have been as relaxed and happy as they are accomplished, which is incredibly important to me and I think shows that the department takes care of its own. All of this in a beautiful town close to family made it an easy choice in the end.
Advice for med students applying for residency: The advice I’ve gotten and will echo is to think about how much a program will make you happy both in and out of the hospital when weighing its rank on your list.
Hobbies: Running, skiing, hiking, hockey, going to concerts/shows, playing guitar, reading fantasy books
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: I have been to exactly 1 restaurant so far in Ann Arbor, and have to say Tomukun Noodle Bar was the best by far.
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: There are SO many great running trails in town, I feel like I could do a different route every day.
Chaitanya Chittineni, MD/MBA
Undergraduate School: University of Minnesota
Graduate School: University of Minnesota
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I chose the University of Michigan because of the full spectrum of training opportunities, diverse research initiatives, quality of training, and how happy all the residents were.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Be genuine and look for the places with the happiest residents.
Hobbies: Traveling, bicycling, hiking, gardening, cooking/baking, sewing
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Exploring the bike trails and checking out all the local restaurants!
Yujie Ding, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: The University of Michigan Anesthesiology program is the perfect balance between high-quality clinical training and a collegial family atmosphere. This is a program that welcomes an incredibly diverse group of physicians each year and will help grow us into leaders within the field.
Hobbies: Basketball/NBA statistics, hiking/backpacking, cooking
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Lan City Noodles
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I greatly enjoy kayaking down the Huron River.
Catherine Fabian, MD
Undergraduate School: The Ohio State University
Medical School: The Ohio State University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Positive culture, endless opportunities, and a stunning educational experience for the residents. When I visited before ranking, I absolutely fell in love with Ann Arbor.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Be yourself! You want to find a place that fits YOU. Ask the residents all of your questions and continue to ask after your interview, if you still have any. The interactions I had with residents were the most helpful for feeling out programs.
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, painting, playing my instruments and more!
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Tuptim Thai Cuisine
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I love all of the parks and green space!
Chris Heleniak, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Pittsburgh
Medical School: Temple University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Throughout the interview process, it became obvious that U-M Anesthesiology had a very supportive and welcoming culture. I found their complex and challenging cases exciting and enriching for a career in anesthesiology. The department's continuous contribution to science through their research prowess truly created the complete package.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Relax and be yourself. This is such an exciting time where you'll meet so many new people, get to learn about so many hospitals, programs and systems, and you will enjoy it. Write down your thoughts, talk to advisers, and trust your gut.
Hobbies: Ice hockey, watching sports, cooking and mountain biking
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: All of the great sports
Emily Kershaw, MD
Undergraduate School: Washington State University
Medical School: University of Washington
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: It felt like home on interview day!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Be authentic! At the end of the day, you will become the best doctor that you can be by matching into a culture that fits your learning and lifestyle needs.
Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, skiing, camping, walking my Labradoodle "Hunter"
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Weekend camping trips around the state!
Merry Krueger, MD
Undergraduate School: Western Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Everyone on my interview day was incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to answer all of my questions about the program. It was clear that the program values diversity in all forms and, as a member of the LGBTQ* community, I felt very confident that I would be safe and supported at U-M and as a resident of Ann Arbor!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Identify a few factors that are important to you and be yourself during interviews as much as possible! You will find excellent institutions with the people that fit your personality best. Good luck!
Hobbies: Houseplants, reading/writing poetry, traveling and exploring new cities
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Jolly Pumpkin
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: The farmer's market in Kerrytown and exploring all the coffee shops and independent book stores!
Ralph Lamonge, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
Medical School: Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I was in search of a program where I would be clinically well trained, challenged, and would have support along the way. I chose the University of Michigan because this program has an excellent reputation for taking great care of its residents, fostering an inclusive community, building leaders in the field of anesthesiology, and tackling social issues prevalent in medicine. Between the world-renowned faculty, abundant resources, and departmental programs such as RADAR, which directly addresses anti-racism and diversifying the field of anesthesiology on a national level, I felt confident in my choice. During my interview day, I felt like the faculty were all super down to earth and residents genuinely proud to be a part of this community.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Trust your gut! Do ample research on the programs that intrigue you. Do not hesitate to reach out to residents and faculty with questions about their programs. Pay attention to how you are treated on interview day and really reflect on what is important you. Lastly, have fun! You have worked very hard to reach this point of your career. Any interview invitation received is not an accident. Be proud of yourself and enjoy the process. YOU GOT THIS!
Hobbies: Tennis, soccer, cooking, quality time with my partner, our dogs, and tending to my large indoor plants.
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Savas, no doubt.
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: The people are so friendly here! Example: On my moving day, my neighbor came out to offer us help unloading my U-haul. Additionally, the weekly farmers market, the many opportunities for outdoor activities, and amazing local restaurants. Venturing to other cities is also a breeze. Detroit is a quick 40-minute drive and there's a direct train to Chicago for weekend trips.
Timothy Lauzon, DO
Undergraduate School: Michigan State University
Medical School: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Growing up in Michigan, I always saw the University of Michigan as the pinnacle of medicine. I was lucky enough to have an anesthesiology rotation with the program, which cemented my views of the University of Michigan and the program as my top choice. Between the friendly and supportive culture, being leaders in anesthesiology, and the groundbreaking research and procedures the program does, I quickly realized that the University of Michigan was a great fit for me.
Hobbies: Fishing, playing the guitar, golfing, woodworking, and hanging with friends and family
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos
Itzel Lopez-Hinojosa, MD
Undergraduate School: Washington University in St. Louis
Medical School: University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: So many reasons! U-M was one of the first interviews I had, and by far, both the faculty and residents stood out. Watching the residents interact, even through Zoom, really gave me the impression that they were there for each other, and really cared about building a community. The faculty had such thoughtful questions, and truly responded to everything I said. Of course, it goes without saying that the training here is phenomenal. Overall, truly the whole package.
Advice for med students applying for residency: It was super important to me to reflect before I started interviewing on what was important to me (community, mentorship, global health, HEI) and then process my interviews with someone that really knew me — for me, that was my partner. At the end of the interview trail, it was so easy for some programs to stand out and others to blur together, and having someone that knew what was important to me and how I felt after the interview really centered me!
Hobbies: Traveling (both hiking and cultural sites!), ceramics/digital drawing/crafts, Marvel fan
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Hoping to find one during my time here! Building a list of recs in my notes that am more than willing to share once I have visited these spots!
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I am most looking forward to the lake life and fall! I am a fall baby and just love all the colors. Given all the trees in Ann Arbor, I am so excited!
Jonathon McBride, MD
Undergraduate School: Northwestern University
Graduate Schoo: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Michigan
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: The perfect combination of compassionate people, clinical training, and life in Ann Arbor!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Really focus on what is important to you in a program and try not to get caught up in all the things other people are prioritizing.
Hobbies: Distance running
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Detroit Street Filling Station
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I love how easily accessible great nature is. Most of my runs are done through great parks or along the Huron River.
Allison Milen, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Michigan
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Having grown up outside of the state of Michigan, I didn't necessarily think I would stick around at the University of Michigan for as long as I have. However, each time I am kept here by the wonderful people, mentors, and culture. I knew I would get exceptional clinical training in anesthesiology while training alongside leaders in other specialties as well. I also appreciated that the department has opportunities for research in health disparities and DEI work. Moreover, Ann Arbor has many of the amenities of a big city while being able to enjoy numerous outdoor activities. I'm so thrilled to be staying at my Michigan hoMe for the next four years!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Trust your gut! Interviewing virtually can be challenging to get a sense of the culture at an institution, but take stock of how you feel after the interview. Were you excited? Did you like the people? And while probably impossible, try not to get overly stressed and trust in the process.
Hobbies: Long distance running, curating indie Spotify playlists, cooking, traveling with my partner, and making sure my plants and cat stay alive
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Three-way tie between Aventura, Jolly Pumpkin, and Fleetwood Diner
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor has a little bit of everything! There are beautiful trails for running, the Huron River for tubing or ice skating, cute coffee shops in the Old West Side, quick access to Detroit for shows and food, and the ability to go to the UP for hiking and more.
Zach Murphy, MD/MS/MA
Undergraduate School: University of Michigan-Flint
Graduate Schools: Purdue University; Whiting School of Engineering - Johns Hopkins University
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: The University of Michigan is at the intersection of everything I was hoping for in a residency — top-tier training among amazing and supportive colleagues, outstanding data analytics research, and being close to family.
Advice for med students applying for residency: The best advice I received was to reflect hard on who you are as a person. What are your values and ideals? What makes you happy? What do you need to be successful? Who do you want to be at the end of residency? For me at least, having concrete answers to these questions going into interviews and thinking about ranking helped me decide between the many amazing programs that are out there.
Hobbies: Backpacking/hiking, running, woodworking
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos!
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: My favorite thing about Ann Arbor is all the green space in the city and being so close to great hiking spots.
Naveed Noordin, MD
Undergraduate School: Emory University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Top-notch training, strong camaraderie between residents and faculty, emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion as is evident from the RADAR program, and the sense of support and community I felt on my interview day and in my conversations with residents and faculty.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Write down your thoughts/list of pros and cons after each interview so that you can refer back to them come ranking time. Rely on mentors for advice. During the pre-interview socials ask any and all questions that you may have; you deserve to have all the information you can gather when making your rank list (remember no question is silly and chances are other applicants probably have similar questions). Not necessarily memorize but practice answering/have a general flow for some of the common interview questions (the AAMC has great resources on this), and practice with mentors to elicit feedback.
Hobbies: Sports (especially cricket, football, soccer, and ping pong), trying new restaurants, hiking, mentorship, learning about financial topics
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Zingerman's Roadhouse
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: The plethora of outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, etc.) that the area has to offer. This is my first time living in the Midwest, so I'm really excited to further explore what this region has to offer.
Lillian Nosow, MD
Undergraduate School: Smith College
Medical School: Wake Forest School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I chose the University of Michigan for its outstanding clinical education, wide variety of opportunities, and supportive culture!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Trust your gut. Everyone will have different interests, preferences, and opinions. You know yourself best and what kind of program you will thrive in.
Hobbies: Riding horses, hiking, dance, travel
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: TBD! I'm a huge foodie and looking forward to exploring all the good food in Ann Arbor.
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: The lively energy and diversity of experiences
Ed O'Connor, MD
Undergraduate School: Bowdoin College
Medical School: University of Massachusetts
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Aside from the exceptional clinical training and research, the quality of the residents and faculty that I interacted with on interview day is what drew me here.
Hobbies: Hockey, golf, exercise, cooking, Boston sports
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: The sense of community
Alexandra Ogando Vélez, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine
Advice for med students applying for residency: Establish what is important to you early on, including your non-negotiables and what you are willing to compromise on. Reach out to people who have done this before. A lot of us are willing to help you! Be yourself, have an open mind, and trust your instincts. Do not compare your journey to anyone else's. You will end up in the right place, at the right time.
Hobbies: Dancing, playing tennis, hiking, trying different restaurants/bakeries
Rachel Patterson, MD
Undergraduate School: Michigan State University
Medical School: Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: This program offers quality training with a wide breadth of cases at an institution that has so many opportunities and resources. More importantly, though, they have created a wonderful community full of support. On interview day, the residents were energetic and enthusiastic and seemed very happy overall. I immediately knew that I would be very fortunate to become a part of this program!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Be yourself and follow your instincts! Remember to choose based on what will bring you the most happiness and to not get caught up in minor details or things like prestige or what others will think. Residency should not be a means to an end. It’s a big chunk of your life that you should enjoy!
Hobbies: Traveling, exploring new restaurants and breweries, tennis, hiking, skiing/snow boarding, going out to brunch, movies, hanging out with my 2-year-old niece, and trying new activities!
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Honestly, I’m most looking forward to trying all the new restaurants! But overall, Ann Arbor is such a walkable unique city full of an array of food, coffee shops, outdoor activities, and events that I’m excited to explore.
Ellianna Patton, MD
Undergraduate School: Youngstown State University
Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: U-M has an outstanding reputation in the academic world and within anesthesiology itself. During my interview, I felt that I meshed really well with the current residents and faculty and that I would get excellent training here. Residents also seemed genuinely happy in the program and excited to share their experiences. U-M is also relatively close to home for me and has easy accessibility to many outdoor activities, which I enjoy.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Be yourself! Matching into a residency program is as much about finding a well-rounded academic center as it is about finding a genuine fit for yourself. You will be at this institution for the next 3-4+ years and it is important you will enjoy that time. :)
Hobbies: Hiking, kayaking, spending time with my husband and cat, experimenting with and trying new coffee
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Very cool downtown with a year-round farmer's market and TONS of unique food options.
Michal Rajski, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Chicago
Medical School: Brown University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: Michigan stood out to me for the unrivaled learning opportunities in and out of the OR, world-class research initiatives, and strong sense of community within the program and department. I could easily see that the program and institution as a whole genuinely support their residents’ learning, which is clearly reflected in how happy the residents are! The combination of top-notch clinical training, being a place where I would be happy, and proximity to family made Michigan an easy choice!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Talk to the residents! Programs can blend together, especially with virtual interviews, so my advice would be to go to all of the virtual events and don't be afraid to contact residents with specific questions. This will give you the best sense of what a place is really like.
Hobbies: Playing water polo, swimming, traveling, and enjoying Michigan's amazing lakes and coastlines!
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Slurping Turtle
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: It's hard to choose! Great sports, restaurants, parks, and outdoor activities in the area and beautiful landscapes and beaches throughout the state.
Allie Sheehan, MD
Undergraduate School: Michigan State University
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I chose the University of Michigan because of the incredible training opportunities, how much fun the residents seem to have, and because I love Michigan weather! Also, my family is here!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Identify your priorities, and stick to them! Knowing what you want is half of the battle, and when a program has it, you’ll know. Most importantly, trust the process and try to have fun!
Hobbies: Detroit/college sports, golf, skiing, baking, sitting on boats
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Hopcat - cosmik fries and cheese dip are my death row meal
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I love all of the parks and water nearby! You’re never too far from a forest, a trail, a beach, or from someone with a boat.
Sudharsan Srinivasan, MD/MS
Undergraduate School: University of Michigan, College of Engineering
Graduate School: University of Michigan, College of Engineering
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: It becomes cliché after hearing the same answer dozens of times, but it truly was the outstanding group of people who work and learn here that led me to choose the University of Michigan. The excellent mentorship and leadership allows for a culture in which residents are truly able to thrive. Ann Arbor is also an excellent place to live and learn.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Trust the process, you've worked this hard. It's quite easy to stress over all the small details of what every program has to offer, but try and focus on the bigger picture. Define what makes you happy, and try to focus on whether programs allow for you to meet some of those criteria.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing tennis and soccer recreationally, running the occasional half-marathon, and kayaking. I also enjoy board games (Monopoly, Catan, and chess), mystery books/films, and trivia nights.
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Fresh Forage
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Ann Arbor is the perfect mix of living in a city and also having accessible areas of nature. Whether it's heading downtown for meeting up with some colleagues on the weekend or visiting the botanical gardens, there's always something to do. Additionally, living near and working at a college athletics powerhouse is fantastic. Michigan sports had an excellent 2021-2022 overall (football, basketball, hockey, etc.) and I just had to stay around to see what comes next.
Beshoy Tawfik, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Colorado at Denver
Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: I chose the University of Michigan for the world-class training, the supportive culture, and Ann Arbor has everything I was looking for in a future home. I was blown away by how friendly everyone was during my interview day.
Advice for med students applying for residency: Everyone's selection criteria will be a little different, don't be afraid to really make yours your own!
Hobbies: Hiking, strength training, snowboarding, reading, spending time with my samoyeds
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Checking out the amazing food scene, exploring all the green spaces
Nicole Villiger, MD/MS
Undergraduate School: University of Notre Dame
Graduate School: Indiana University
Medical School: Indiana University
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: U-M offers excellent training opportunities in a supportive, collegial environment. All of the faculty and residents I interacted with on interview day and at the resident social were relaxed, happy, and could not stop raving about the program. It was easy to picture myself becoming a part of this community of learners!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Try to relax and be yourself! Look for a program that will not only help you achieve your professional goals, but one that will support you being the best version of yourself outside the hospitals as well.
Hobbies: Travel, trying new breweries, hiking, reading, baking, watching sports (especially Notre Dame football), and doing my best to keep my plants and fish alive
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: I'm looking forward to exploring the parks and other outdoorsy activities that Michigan has to offer.
Jordan Wolf
Undergraduate School: University of Minnesota-Duluth
Medical School: University of Minnesota
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: The people, the quality of education, and the wide clinical exposure. Plus, Ann Arbor is beautiful.
Advice for med students applying for residency: You've got this!
Hobbies: Hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, river rafting, writing, wilderness conservation
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Tuptim Thai
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Exceptional training in a small city. Exploring new waters and trails.
Allen Zheng, MD
Undergraduate School: University of Michigan
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Why I chose U-M Anesthesiology: For the strength of the clinical training, national reputation, and the breadth of opportunities available at U-M. As a college alum of U-M, it was an easy decision to come back!
Advice for med students applying for residency: Figure out what aspects of a program are most important to you, and ask lots of different people questions about it.
Hobbies: Pickup basketball, watching sports, lifting weights, exploring Ann Arbor with my wife and pup
Favorite Ann Arbor restaurant: Frita Batidos
Favorite thing about life in Ann Arbor: Michigan football/basketball games and float trips down the Huron River
