Tessa Adzemovic, M.D.
I was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up next to the Art Gallery of Ontario, which I’m convinced inspired my love for the fine arts. My parents, brother and I later moved to Ann Arbor, where I became a ‘River Rat’. I received a BA in French and Francophone studies from the University of Michigan. After college, I moved to Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I founded a dance program for inter-ethnic youth in the little town of Mostar. I returned to Ann Arbor to attend University of Michigan’s Medical School, where I was active in our Asylum Collaborative and started the Medical Home Visit Program in partnership with the VA Home Based Primary Care program. I received a masters of science in clinical research with a focus on trauma care delivery in New Delhi, India.
I love reading, dancing ballet, and have a new found obsession with Spike Ball. Over the last three months, I have been (accidentally) watering a small artificial cactus, which has been a lesson in futility.
Michigan Difference: If Zingerman’s wasn’t enough of a reason, then the residents and faculty were. I am unbelievably lucky to be at an institution that cultivates strong mentorship for its trainees. I feel strongly about serving the community I grew up in and look forward to taking care of patients from all over Michigan, and the Midwest.
Genevieve Allen, M.D.
I was born and raised in Washington, DC and am a huge Washington Capitals and Nationals fan. After high school, I moved to Texas to attend the University of Texas at Austin where I majored in Biology. Go Longhorns! After graduation, I served as a health volunteer with the Peace Corps in Zambia. Medical school was not initially on the horizon, but mid-way through my Peace Corps service, I decided to attend medical school. Thankfully, the MCAT is offered in Cape Town, South Africa and after completing my Peace Corps Service followed by a six-month stint working for Peace Corps in DC, I matriculated at the University of Michigan Medical School. Outside of the hospital you can find me rowing on Argo Pond, hiking, or cooking.
Michigan Difference: I initially chose Michigan four years ago for medical school because of its supportive environment combined with strong clinical training. I figured I could tough out winter for four years then move south. When it came time to apply for residency, I looked all over the country but realized the reasons I chose Michigan four years ago still held true (and were especially true of the Med/Peds Program). I had also learned that if you get a good winter coat, winter is not too bad. I also liked Ann Arbor’s size. While working long hours, I would still be able to row, hike, cook, and see friends outside of the hospital without thinking twice about traffic.
Allison Bloom, M.D.
I was born and raised in Potomac, Maryland and attended Brown University for undergrad where I majored in biology. After graduating, I spent a year as an AmeriCorps member with CityYear DC. Following my year in DC, I moved to Durham, North Carolina where I completed medical school at Duke University. I have always been interested in primary care and enjoy hospital medicine as well. Apart from medicine, I love being active, baking bread, and refurbishing furniture!
Michigan Difference: From my very earliest interactions with Michigan residents, faculty and staff, I have always loved everything Michigan Med-Peds related. Not only does Michigan have an amazing hospital system that will provide me with infinite potential to grow as a resident, it also provides an incredibly welcoming, supportive and motivating environment. I am so excited to be part of the Michigan Med-Peds family!
Melanie Donahue, M.D.
I was born in San Diego but raised in the Northeast on Cape Cod, an “island” of lost R’s and wicked big sharks. My undergraduate education at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was geared toward engineering and mathematics - as well as swimming with even bigger sharks while studying abroad in South Africa. I then spent three years working in Cambridge at the interdisciplinary Broad Institute, which refocused my attention on human cellular machinery and ultimately caring for the whole human. I completed medical school at the University of Massachusetts, where I discovered my interest in transitional care for patients and families with chronic conditions, continued to explore the genetic drivers of common diseases through an ASH research fellowship, and sparked a passion for education and improving access to STEM experience for the next generation. Outside the hospital, you’ll find me dreaming about horseback riding while jogging or at yoga, trying out a new recipe at home or a new brew at pub trivia, and continuing to explore Michigan.
Michigan Difference: Though I had never lived more than an hour from the ocean before, my visit to Michigan quickly convinced me to give these ocean-size lakes a try. I was won over during my interview experience by the beaming Wolverine pride throughout Ann Arbor, institutional support for both clinical goals and life outside the hospital, and genuine family feel of the Med-Peds residents within two strong categorical programs. Plus it certainly didn’t hurt that it’s still (mostly) acceptable to be a Brady-era Patriots fan here, and I’d finally feel like I belonged in the UMich alum March Madness group I’ve been a part of for years!
Michael Ho, M.D.
I grew up in Saline, Michigan. As an undergrad at University of Michigan I majored in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Through my program, I studied ecology in New Zealand and did field work in rural Northern Michigan. I also minored in Spanish. After graduating from college, I lived in San Francisco and worked at a mobile clinic for homeless patients where I assisted in providing medical care and case management services. After a year in the Bay, I returned to University of Michigan for medical school. My passions in medicine are somewhat varied, but include cardiology/congenital heart disease, care of the underserved, critical care, and alternative models of healthcare delivery. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy playing tennis, riding my bike, working on my Spanish and Portuguese, caring for my houseplants, and spending time with my friends and family.
Michigan Difference: For me, the best part of this program is the people. Co-residents, faculty, staff, or students -- I find that Michigan attracts brilliant and hard-working people who are also genuinely kind, supportive, and unpretentious. The fact that this culture exists in a place that has an outstanding academic medical center (on both IM and Peds) is really just an added bonus!
Natalia Jovanovic Painter, M.D.
I am from Gurnee, Illinois - a suburb one hour north of Chicago. I grew up with an older sister, older brother, and parents with strong Serbian and Slovenian roots. It is from them that I got my work ethic and giving spirit - and somehow a strange Serbian? accent too...nobody is quite sure about that one! I attended The University of Chicago for undergrad, studied Biology and specialized in Endocrinology, while also playing collegiate soccer. Afterwards, I ventured to Boston for an internship at a Dermatology private practice, but missing the Midwest too much, soon returned for medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria. Peoria was an awesome spot for me to find my Med/Peds identity (the place is booming with friendly Med/Pedsians!) and discover my passion for Hospital Medicine, ID, and Med Ed. I also love baking, playing/watching soccer, watching NBA with my husband, searching for new ice cream shops, board games, running, hiking/camping - all of which I am excited to do in Michigan!
Michigan Difference: Michigan Med/Peds had been on my radar long before the residency application process started. I had heard so many good things about the program from my Med/Peds mentors - and good things about UMich in general from other family and friends. When I had the opportunity to visit for myself on interview day, I could see why! I met so many welcoming residents and faculty and felt like Michigan had the right balance of Medicine and Pediatric training rigor, mentorship, opportunities in teaching / Med Ed, and that strong Med/Peds identity and community that I was looking for - not to mention a beautiful town and outstanding academic center to do it all in! So pumped to join the team - GO BLUE!!!
Marianne Kerski, M.D.
I was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota. I attended undergrad at the University of Minnesota where I studied biomedical engineering. Prior to medical school, I spent a year working on clinical informatics projects at the Mayo Clinic. I went to medical school at the University of Minnesota as well. My clinical interests include rheumatology and biomedical informatics. In my spare time, I enjoy many outdoor activities including running, hiking, roller blading, and skiing. When the weather is less than ideal, I enjoy puzzles and board games.
Michigan Difference: When looking for a medicine-pediatrics program, I wanted a program that had strong clinical training on each categorical side and had ample opportunities to get involved in academic pursuits. I felt multiple programs I visited would have been able to give me those initial goals. Ultimately, I chose Michigan because of the strong community feel among the residents and faculty members in combination with Ann Arbor feeling like home.
Catherine McDermott, M.D., M.Ed.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and despite initial inklings of pursuing veterinary medicine, I fell in love with human medicine and completed medical school at Penn State. I enjoy spending time outside, animals, crafts, cooking, and exploring new coffee shops. Within medicine, I am interested in medical education and rheumatology. My partner is also a pediatrics resident and have enjoyed making Ann Arbor our new home.
Michigan Difference:
As a med-peds resident, I wanted a program with strong IM and pediatric programs where there were opportunities to get involved with medical education and QI work. Once meeting the residents here, seeing how supportive everyone was of one another, how resident education was prioritized (ask about our amazing RAs!), and how invested the program is in our wellbeing, I was sold. I realized I really could have it all- a program that cared about me as a human, education at a top-ranking hospital, and the opportunity to carve out niches in areas of interest in a city with all of my favorite things!
Zachary Whitt, M.D.
I was born in Winston-Salem, NC, but moved around the Southeast making stops in The Woodlands, TX and then Roswell, GA, where I spent most of my childhood. I attended the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) for undergrad getting degrees in Biology and Spanish. I spent a year as a Genetics Counseling Assistant at Emory University, which led me to my passion for Medical Genetics. To pursue this dream, I attended the Medical College of Georgia for my medical education. On my days off, I enjoy hanging out with my co-residents exploring the great restaurants and breweries of Ann Arbor, watching college football, Netflix binges, and traveling.
Michigan Difference: Going into a Combined Pediatrics and Medical Genetics residency, I knew I wanted amazing training in both programs, which I found at the University of Michigan. After interviewing with both training programs, I was confident I would get the highest quality Pediatric and Genetics training available. It was obvious that there was amazing integration between the programs as well with geneticists serving at the highest levels in the pediatric department. In a field where rare diseases are our specialty, it was critical to have a large patient population as well top rated pediatric subspecialties and Michigan definitely fit that bill. As if that wasn’t enough, the residents made me feel right at home on my interview day and it was clear they were very close to one another. Then you have Ann Arbor as a backdrop for it all, which was the cherry on top!
