Welcome, UW Emergency Medicine Class of 2029!
Meet the Residents
The University of Washington Department of Emergency Medicine is delighted to welcome 18 new incoming interns who will begin their postgraduate training this summer.
Michael Choi
Rush Medical College
Michael Choi is originally from Los Angeles, California. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and completed a master's degree in biomedical sciences at Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He went on to receive his MD from Rush Medical College. Michael was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its unique ability to serve patients during their most vulnerable moments, requiring both a broad medical knowledge base and a deep sense of humanity.
At the University of Washington, Michael found a program that reflects his values—one with a strong mission of service and training opportunities in a wide range of environments, including county, academic, community, rural, and pediatric settings. He was also drawn to the program’s expansive coverage of the WWAMI region and the welcoming, down-to-earth community of residents and faculty.
Michael’s professional interests include point-of-care ultrasound, global and rural health, wilderness medicine, social EM, event and disaster medicine, and critical care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hiking, camping, bouldering, running by the water, trying new foods, and visiting zoos and aquariums. A longtime traveler and adventurer, Michael has explored 28 national parks so far and has his sights set on the North Cascades next!
Kencie Ely
University of Nevada
Kencie Ely was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She earned her undergraduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, followed by a Master’s in Biochemistry from Georgetown University. She then returned home to complete her medical degree at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Kencie chose Emergency Medicine because of the unique role EM physicians play as the first point of contact for many patients entering the hospital. She’s passionate about helping patients navigate what can often be a confusing and overwhelming system—offering education, reassurance, and advocacy from the very start. Deeply committed to health equity, Kencie believes healthcare is a fundamental right and is proud to be part of a specialty that serves all patients, regardless of background or circumstance. She also enjoys the intellectual challenge EM provides, from building broad differentials to maintaining vigilance in high-stakes situations.
Drawn to UW’s mission-driven environment and strong leadership development, Kencie was inspired by our program’s dual focus on academic excellence and social accountability. She looks forward to caring for diverse patient populations across a variety of settings, from the academic pathology at Montlake to the safety-net care at Harborview.
Kencie’s professional interests include public policy, public health, and medical education. She’s passionate about systemic healthcare reform and believes physicians should play an active role in shaping the future of medicine. A dedicated mentor and teacher, she finds deep joy in helping the next generation of physicians grow.
Outside of medicine, Kencie loves all things outdoors, including hiking, running, and exploring trails with friends. She’s excited to grow her plant collection beyond houseplants now that she’s in the PNW, and she also enjoys live music, trying new restaurants, and cheering on her favorite teams (Go Ducks!).
Vanessa Freitas
University of Hawaiʻi
Vanessa Freitas is from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. She earned her undergraduate degree from Gonzaga University and received her MD from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine. Vanessa’s first exposure to clinical medicine was as a scribe in the emergency department, an experience that sparked her passion for Emergency Medicine. She was drawn to the unique combination of rapid, lifesaving decision-making and deep human connection. Vanessa views the ED as the pulse of the community—a place where patients turn during times of uncertainty—and she is committed to advancing health equity through compassionate and accessible care.
Vanessa completed an away rotation at the University of Washington, where she immediately felt at home. She was drawn to the sense of community, the diversity of the patient population, and the program’s commitment to mentorship and advocacy. With strong opportunities in Addiction Medicine and Indigenous Health, UW offered Vanessa the perfect environment to continue her growth as both a clinician and an advocate.
Her professional interests include Addiction Medicine and Indigenous Health. Outside of medicine, Vanessa enjoys beach days with her partner and family, escape rooms, and unwinding with a good show or movie. A fun fact: she loves to kuʻi kalo (pounding taro) to make fresh, delicious poi!
Bhavana Garapati
Wayne State University
Bhavana Garapati hails from West Bloomfield, Michigan. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and earned her MD at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Bhavana found her calling in Emergency Medicine for its dynamic pace, its balance of clinical and procedural care, and the deep sense of teamwork it fosters. She’s especially passionate about EM’s critical role in caring for underserved patients and providing essential access to healthcare for those with limited options.
When searching for a residency program, Bhavana was drawn to UW for its strong mission-driven culture, the diversity of its clinical settings, and the supportive community of residents and faculty. The program’s unique blend of county and academic medicine, opportunities in EMS and prehospital care, and access to the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty made it an ideal fit.
Bhavana’s professional interests span social emergency medicine, EMS, street medicine, and wilderness medicine. Outside of work, she loves hiking, traveling, cooking, and hosting gatherings. True to EM's spirit, she’s always diving into new hobbies with enthusiasm, even if they rotate frequently!
Jessica Jue
University of Washington
Jessica Jue is originally from Bellevue, Washington. She studied at Carnegie Mellon University for her undergraduate education and earned her MD from the University of Washington. Before medical school, she spent time in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, an experience that deepened her passion for language access and cross-cultural care.
Jessica is especially interested in critical care, immigrant and refugee health, psychiatric emergencies, and improving language access in healthcare. She also has a strong interest in medical Chinese, combining her language skills with her clinical work to bridge gaps in care.
Jessica brings a rich background to her practice, including time spent working in ED registration, a deep appreciation for overlooked healthcare roles, and an impressive resume of former pets (including adorable rats!).
Anna Jurlina
University of Central Florida
Anna Jurlina is originally from Orlando, Florida, and completed both her undergraduate and medical education at the University of Central Florida. Emergency Medicine was the first specialty that sparked her interest in a medical career. She was drawn to its fast-paced environment and its ability to serve as a critical social safety net for vulnerable populations. For Anna, EM represents the intersection of action and advocacy—where immediate care meets long-term impact.
Anna was captivated by the University of Washington’s program from her interview day and second look. She appreciated the variety of clinical settings, from county to academic, pediatrics to community, and was especially drawn to the program’s warm and mission-driven culture. With a community-focused spirit among faculty and residents, she knew UW was the right place to grow both professionally and personally.
Anna’s professional interests include pediatric emergency medicine, health policy, quality improvement, and social emergency medicine. Outside of the hospital, she’s an avid Dungeons and Dragons player, escape room enthusiast, and board game collector – she owns over 100 games! Anna also enjoys playing soccer and once traveled to Antarctica, checking off a true bucket-list destination.
Lisa Khairy
Washington State University
Lisa Khairy was born in Malaysia and grew up around the world, including time in the Philippines, Pakistan, Montreal, and eventually Seattle, thanks to her father’s work. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and her MD from Washington State University School of Medicine. Her global upbringing and personal experiences as a patient and immigrant deeply shaped her path to Emergency Medicine.
For Lisa, the ED is where the cracks in the healthcare system become impossible to ignore. It’s also where she found purpose—caring for patients facing homelessness, addiction, language barriers, and structural inequities. Her time working on a clinical trial at UW/Harborview before medical school solidified her passion for public health and equity and inspired her continued work with opioid use disorder and unhoused communities. She was drawn to return to UW by its values, people, and unwavering commitment to justice in healthcare.
Lisa’s professional interests include substance use disorder, harm reduction, health equity, and mentorship to foster greater diversity in medicine. Outside of medicine, she has a creative streak with photography and photojournalism as lifelong passions. She loves capturing small, meaningful moments through the lens of art!
Ivan Muchiutti
Loma Linda University
Ivan Muchiutti is originally from Lancaster, Massachusetts. He completed his undergraduate studies at Southern Adventist University, earned a Master’s from Loma Linda School of Public Health, and received his MD from Loma Linda University School of Medicine.
Drawn to the versatility and inclusivity of Emergency Medicine, Ivan loves the field’s fast pace, broad scope, and the chance to care for anyone, anytime. He values the team-based culture of the ED and the meaningful patient connections forged during moments of crisis.
Ivan chose UW for its unique blend of training environments, from county trauma to rural medicine, and the flexibility to explore his many professional interests, including palliative care, addiction medicine, wilderness medicine, and health policy. At UW, he’s excited to be involved in the Population Health track and to grow his leadership skills.
Outside of medicine, Ivan enjoys skiing, biking, rock climbing, backpacking, and board games. He’s half Icelandic, half Brazilian, and always up for a new adventure.
Neipori Pelle
Kaiser Permanente
Raised between Elk Grove and Seattle, Neipori Pelle brings a lifelong commitment to community, advocacy, and equitable care. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics from Seattle University and her MD from the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine.
Neipori was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its versatility, team-driven environment, and the opportunity to support patients during their most vulnerable moments. Her clinical interests span social EM, wilderness medicine, and health systems innovation. She has led impactful work on social needs screening at community clinics, spearheaded public health campaigns, and conducted research on emergency department utilization and hypertension screening.
A first-generation medical student and proud member of the Seneca Nation, Neipori’s passion for service is rooted in personal experience—she served as a primary caregiver for critically ill family members, an experience that shaped her approach to patient care and advocacy.
Outside the hospital, Neipori enjoys hiking, bouldering, martial arts (in which she has competed internationally), and cooking Thai food. She’s equally at home in urban clinics and remote wilderness settings—and is excited to bring both skill and compassion wherever care is needed.
Alexander Poniz
University of Vermont
Originally from central New Jersey, Alexander Poniz studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont, completed a post-baccalaureate program at UC Berkeley Extension, and returned to UVM for medical school. His path into Emergency Medicine has been deeply shaped by a core belief: everyone, regardless of who they are or what they’re facing, deserves someone in their corner during their most critical moments.
Drawn by UW’s strengths in critical care, EMS, and the opportunity to train at Harborview, Alexander knew this was the program for him. But it was the people—residents who were hopeful and empowered, and faculty who were brilliant yet grounded—that truly sealed the deal. He’s especially excited to explore the WWAMI region with Airlift Northwest, immerse himself in ECMO and ultrasound, and grow as a teacher, clinician, and teammate.
Professionally, Alex is interested in critical care, palliative and spiritual support in the ED, procedural mastery, disaster response, EMS, and the ethical use of AI in healthcare. He helped launch his medical school’s AI Task Force and is passionate about using technology to augment—not replace—human care. He also loves teaching and coaching and sees medicine as a lifelong journey of learning and adaptability.
When he's not in the hospital, you'll likely find Alex doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, watching movies, tending his garden, hanging with his cats, making pizza, dancing, or singing his heart out at karaoke.
Christopher Rouillard
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Christopher Rouillard hails from Fresno, California. He completed both his undergraduate studies and Master of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, and earned his MD at Carle Illinois College of Medicine. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its constant challenges and its power to address health inequities in real time.
At UW, Christopher found the perfect blend of county and academic medicine, along with world-class training in critical care, ultrasound, and prehospital medicine. He’s eager to explore the Pacific Northwest and take full advantage of its outdoor playground.
His professional interests include critical care, flight EMS, ultrasound, and medical education. When he's off-duty, you’ll probably find him hiking, cooking, or spending time with his partner and their two dogs.
Zackary Salem-Bango
University of California, Los Angeles
Zackary Salem-Bango grew up in Applegate, Oregon, and took an unconventional path to medicine, starting at Rogue Community College before transferring to Oregon State University and then attending UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. His experiences, from rural Oregon to the Peace Corps in Botswana to working in The Gambia, solidified his commitment to global health and emergency care.
He chose Emergency Medicine for its mix of global impact, critical care, and its ability to meet people in their most vulnerable moments. He was drawn to UW for its unmatched combination of strong county training at Harborview, academic excellence, and dedicated mentorship. The PNW’s stunning natural landscape didn’t hurt either. He’s still pinching himself about being able to ski and rock climb on day trips.
Zack’s professional goals include completing a critical care fellowship and eventually deploying with his wife, who works for Doctors Without Borders. His research interests include infectious diseases, global health, and critical care, which are highlighted by his development of a multiplex qPCR system for rapid fungal diagnosis now used in The Gambia.
When he's not in the ED, you’ll likely find Zack outside skiing, climbing, biking, surfing, mountaineering, or backpacking with his wife, Lindsay.
Anne Sommer
University of California, San Francisco
Originally from Palo Alto, California, Anne Sommer earned her B.A. in Human Biology from Stanford University before attending UCSF School of Medicine. Drawn to Emergency Medicine for its intellectual depth, inclusivity, and fast-paced environment, she’s excited to care for patients of all backgrounds during their most critical moments.
Anne chose UW for its outstanding trauma and rural training, academic excellence, and strong institutional mission. She’s especially excited about exploring the PNW’s natural beauty, from hiking through rainforests to skiing and watersports, all within reach of Seattle.
Professionally, Anne is passionate about global health and expanding health equity. She conducted research and global health work in Liberia and Sierra Leone with support from a medical school grant and volunteered with the Human Rights Collaborative to assist asylum seekers. She hopes to continue this work during her residency and beyond.
Outside of medicine, Anne loves trail running, skiing, cooking, and catching live music.
Addison Sparks
University of Toledo
Addison Sparks grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, and completed her undergraduate degree at Indiana University before attending medical school at the University of Toledo. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine by a passion for healthcare access and social medicine, and a desire to serve every patient population in a dynamic, high acuity setting.
UW stood out to Addison for its strong EMS and ICU training, diverse patient population, and close proximity to the mountains—perfect for her love of the outdoors. As a first-generation physician, Addison is especially proud of her leadership in her medical school’s student-run free clinic, where she helped develop sustainable community support through operations management and grant writing.
Addison is interested in pursuing an EMS fellowship and hopes to serve as a medical director at an academic institution. Her research focuses on the intersection of language barriers and prehospital care.
In her free time, Addison enjoys hiking with camera in hand, playing open-world video games, and reading historical fiction. Fun facts: She once worked as a stagehand for an opera theater and loves nighttime astrophotography!
Ernie Tao
Dartmouth College
Originally from Vancouver, Washington, Ernie Tao studied at the University of Washington and earned his MD at Dartmouth. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine because it allows him to be truly on the front lines—providing both critical care and working to address systemic drivers of health.
Returning to Seattle feels like coming home for Ernie, both personally and professionally. He was inspired by UW’s deep community engagement and is eager to join a team dedicated to clinical excellence and health equity.
Ernie’s professional interests include substance use disorder treatment, health policy and advocacy, and wilderness medicine. He’s excited to explore these areas further at UW and hopes to be deeply involved in the community.
When he’s not in the hospital, you’ll likely find him skiing, hiking, or learning the finer points of pickleball.
Sara Teplow
University of Washington
Sarah Teplow is from Andover, Massachusetts. She graduated from Whitman College and went on to earn her MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine. Sarah sees the emergency department as the "front door" of the healthcare system—a place where everyone is welcome, and no one is turned away.
Her decision to stay at UW was deeply rooted in the people. From the moment she started her ED rotation, she felt a sense of belonging. The faculty and residents became not only mentors but also friends. UW’s unique blend of academic and county training was the perfect match.
Professionally, Sarah is passionate about palliative care, mental health, social emergency medicine, and medical education. She’s looking forward to continuing to grow in all of these areas during residency.
Outside the hospital, Sarah takes full advantage of everything the PNW offers—from hiking and skiing to exploring Seattle’s neighborhoods with friends.
Raegan Tremblay
University of Oklahoma
Raegan Tremblay calls both Rochester, Minnesota, and Tulsa, Oklahoma home. She studied at the University of Kansas and earned her MPH and MD from the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its ability to provide compassionate, team-based care to people who may otherwise go unseen by the healthcare system.
UW was the perfect fit for Raegan, as a program that combines county, academic, and community training with a mission-driven approach to social medicine. Her second-look visit confirmed it was the place where both she and her partner could thrive.
Her professional interests include social EM, public health, and wilderness medicine. She’s excited to be part of a program that supports these passions while also providing excellent clinical training.
When she’s not in the hospital, Raegan is almost certainly outdoors—hiking, skiing, camping, or cycling through the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Elizabeth Zudock
Stanford University
Originally from Minnesota, Lizzie Zudock earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and went on to complete a Master’s at Stanford before receiving her MD from Stanford University School of Medicine.
Lizzie was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its unmatched breadth, fast pace, and the opportunity to care for anyone, anytime—making it, in her words, “ideal for a zombie apocalypse.” She’s excited to train at the University of Washington for its outstanding clinical education, robust ICU exposure, and location in one of her favorite parts of the country.
Her professional interests include critical care, with a particular focus on sepsis diagnostics and management. She has conducted research through the Berg Scholars Program, contributing to early pandemic work identifying COVID-19 risk factors and exploring rapid testing for antibiotic susceptibility in multidrug-resistant bacteria. At UW, Lizzie hopes to get involved with ICU medicine and sepsis research.
Outside of medicine, she loves backpacking, snowboarding, climbing, and diving into sci-fi and fantasy novels. Fun fact: She was in marching band in college—and she has a twin sister!
