Welcome, UW Emergency Medicine Class of 2030!

Meet Our Interns

The University of Washington Department of Emergency Medicine is delighted to welcome 18 new incoming interns who will begin their postgraduate training this summer.

Derek Barnett (he/him/his)

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Derek is originally from Houston, Texas. He earned his undergraduate degree and a Master of Education from The Pennsylvania State University before receiving his MD from the Pennsylvania State College of Medicine. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine for the opportunity to support patients and their families during some of their most acute and life-altering moments, and for the ability to provide high-quality care to individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

At the University of Washington, Derek found a program where he could grow both personally and professionally while building long-term roots. Having moved frequently, he was seeking a strong sense of community and a place to call home. UW stood out for its location in the Pacific Northwest and its ability to support a wide range of career interests within Emergency Medicine.

Derek’s professional interests include medical education and critical care, and he is excited to explore the full breadth of the field during residency. Outside of medicine, he enjoys skiing, astronomy, reading, and hosting board game nights. He is also an avid escape room enthusiast and has completed more than 50 escape rooms across the country.

Linde Bischak (she/her/hers)

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Linde is originally from Northeastern Indiana. She earned her undergraduate degree from Mary Baldwin College and completed graduate studies at Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder before receiving her MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for the challenge, camaraderie, and compassion that define the field, as well as the opportunity to work as part of a team delivering high-quality, respectful care to every patient.

At the University of Washington, Linde found a program that offers a wide range of clinical experiences across county, academic, community, rural, and flight EMS settings, along with exposure to diverse patient populations and pathologies. She was particularly impressed by the program’s commitment to continuous improvement and its openness to resident feedback, as well as the supportive and down-to-earth resident community. She is also excited to explore the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest after many years living near the Rocky Mountains.

Linde’s professional interests include aerospace medicine, austere and wilderness medicine, rural medicine, flight EMS, and disaster medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys hiking, reading, playing video games, and baking, and recently made her first sourdough.

Kristina Borglum (she/her/hers)

University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia

Kristina Borglum is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She completed both her undergraduate education and medical degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its combination of clinical complexity, fast-paced problem solving, and meaningful connection to the communities it serves.

At the University of Washington, Kristina found a program that offers a unique blend of county and academic emergency medicine, along with training across community, pediatric, and rural settings. She was especially drawn to the breadth of clinical experiences and the program’s flexibility and support in allowing residents to explore a wide range of interests within Emergency Medicine.

Kristina’s professional interests include social emergency medicine, wilderness medicine, EMS, and medical education. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time outdoors and is excited to expand her outdoor activities in the Pacific Northwest. She also enjoys exploring new restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries, and spending time with her cat, Alfredo.

Noah Contreras (he/him/his)

Kaiser Permanente Bernard J Tyson School of Medicine

Noah is originally from Fresno, California, and spent time living in Los Angeles during medical school. He earned his undergraduate degree from Fresno State before receiving his MD from the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its breadth and the opportunity to care for any patient who comes through the door, regardless of background or circumstance. His early experience working in a high-volume county emergency department and later clinical rotations reinforced his passion for the specialty’s acuity and team-based approach to care.

At the University of Washington, Noah found a program that combines strong county training with the resources and support of an academic institution. He was particularly drawn to the program’s socially driven mission, supportive faculty, and welcoming community, as well as the opportunity to train in a dynamic city with access to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Noah’s professional interests include social emergency medicine, health equity, disability and ableism in medicine, and addiction medicine. He is also interested in medical education, mentorship, and quality improvement, and is considering future fellowship training. At UW, he hopes to become involved in medical education and pathway programs. Outside of medicine, he enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, backpacking, camping, reading, and running, and is currently training for a half-marathon.

Annie Emanuels (she/her/hers)

Emory University School of Medicine

Annie is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hamilton College and completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Washington before receiving her MD from Emory University School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its breadth and the opportunity to care for a wide range of patient presentations, combining procedural and primary care while serving patients from all walks of life.

At the University of Washington, Annie found a program that offers diverse clinical training across academic and county settings, along with strong opportunities in rural medicine and EMS. She was particularly drawn to experiences with Airlift Northwest and training at rural sites such as Friday Harbor and Ketchum, as well as the supportive and welcoming resident community she encountered during her interview.

Annie’s professional interests include rural medicine, wilderness medicine, EMS, pediatric emergency medicine, LGBTQ health, and climate and environmental health. She has conducted research in the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Seattle and contributed to climate and environmental health curriculum development during medical school. Outside of medicine, she enjoys backpacking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ski touring, trail running, and rock climbing, as well as bouldering, playing piano, making pizza, and playing board games.

Abbey Ervin (she/her/hers)

University of California San Diego School of Medicine

Abbey is originally from Rye, Colorado, and has lived in several places before returning to the West Coast. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California San Diego and went on to receive her MD from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its focus on caring for vulnerable patients, working within a compassionate team, and solving complex, undifferentiated problems in a dynamic clinical environment.

At the University of Washington, Abbey found a program defined by its mission-driven culture and the breadth of its clinical training sites. She was especially drawn to the opportunity to serve patients across Seattle and the greater WWAMI region while training alongside supportive colleagues. Having spent recent years connected to the Pacific Northwest, she is excited to make the region her long-term home.

Abbey’s professional interests include medical education, sports medicine, wilderness medicine, social emergency medicine, and critical care, and she looks forward to exploring different practice settings during residency. She has contributed to projects including developing an rTEE curriculum and examining childcare access across the United States.

At UW, she hopes to engage in rural training experiences, EMS and event medicine opportunities, community outreach, and flight medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys skiing, sailing, backpacking, surfing, running, traveling, and reading. She also brings a sense of adventure, with experiences ranging from sailing through a gale to bungee jumping over a frozen lake.

Joan Marie Hady (she/her/hers)

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

Joan Marie is originally from Portland, Oregon. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and went on to complete a Master of Public Health at Northeastern University before receiving her MD from Oregon Health & Science University. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for the unique access it provides to care for the community, allowing her to combine her passions for public health and clinical medicine.

At the University of Washington, Joan Marie found a program that offers a distinctive blend of training across county, academic, and community settings. She was especially drawn to the values-driven community within the emergency department and the strong support for exploring diverse professional interests, making it an ideal place to integrate her interests in public health and clinical care.

Joan Marie’s professional interests include reproductive health in the emergency department and communication in clinical medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys crafting—especially knitting and embroidery—finding new ways to stay active, and exploring new neighborhoods. She is particularly excited to explore Seattle’s many local markets.

Leah Hawksford (she/her/hers)

Medical College of Wisconsin

Leah is originally from Drummond, Wisconsin. She earned her undergraduate degree from Lawrence University in Appleton before receiving her MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its breadth and variety, valuing the ability to care for all types of patients and conditions while working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.

At the University of Washington, Leah found a program that combines exceptional training in trauma, prehospital care, and Emergency Medicine with a setting she came to love while working in a coroner’s office north of Seattle during the pandemic. The opportunity to train in such a strong program while living in the Pacific Northwest made UW a clear choice.

Leah’s professional interests include trauma, wilderness medicine, and disaster medicine, and she is considering future training in areas such as critical care, EMS, sports medicine, or wilderness medicine. She is especially proud of writing and presenting a case study on herself at two national internal medicine conferences.

At UW, she hopes to get involved in flight medicine, critical care, and wilderness medicine. Outside of medicine, she enjoys ultra running, knitting, attending concerts, and camping, and she has two rescue cats named Thor and Ophelia.

Journey Hesselgrave (she/her/hers)

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Journey is originally from Snoqualmie, Washington. She earned her undergraduate degree from Western Washington University before receiving her MD from Western University of Health Sciences. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine after working as an ED scribe during college, where she discovered a passion for the specialty’s full spectrum of care, diagnostic challenges, and procedural opportunities. She values the emergency department’s role as a critical safety net and the privilege of caring for patients during their most vulnerable moments.

At the University of Washington, Journey found a program that reflects her values, with a strong social mission, diverse clinical training environments, and a robust EMS system. She was especially drawn to the welcoming and supportive community she experienced during her second look. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, she is excited to return home to train and begin her career.

Journey’s professional interests include social emergency medicine, street medicine, EMS, and critical care. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time outdoors running, hiking, biking, snowboarding, and paddleboarding, as well as exploring and observing nature. She is also an avid reader and has read more than 50 books in a year.

Jess Oudakker (she/her/hers)

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Jess is originally from Conifer, Colorado. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado Boulder before receiving her MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its blend of high-pressure decision making, hands-on patient care, strong team dynamics, and the opportunity to serve as an empathetic caretaker for patients in critical moments.

At the University of Washington, Jess found a program that stood out for its people, national reputation, and strong presence across the WWAMI region. She was also drawn to the opportunity to train in the Pacific Northwest while supporting her spouse’s career and enjoying the mountains with her dog, Hank.

Jess’s professional interests include rural medicine, EMS, medical education, and quality improvement, with a focus on improving workflows and reducing unnecessary interventions. She hopes to eventually practice in a rural, critical-access setting where she can serve as a leader within both the hospital and the broader community.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, backpacking, paddle boarding, skiing, running, and playing tennis, as well as creative pursuits such as knitting, sewing, embroidery, and painting. She was a CNA for four years and is the first physician in her family.

Geet Pandya (he/him/his)

Medical College of Wisconsin

Geet is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and completed graduate training at the Medical College of Wisconsin, where he also received his MD. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine through his experience working as an EMT in high school and college, where he developed a passion for caring for a wide range of patients and providing stabilizing care in critical moments. He values the specialty’s ability to make an immediate impact and its commitment to caring for patients from diverse backgrounds.

At the University of Washington, Geet found a program that offers rigorous training across multiple clinical environments with high acuity and volume, as well as strong exposure to critical care and EMS. He was particularly drawn to the opportunity to gain the skills needed to practice confidently in any setting, along with the program’s support for exploring diverse professional interests. He also appreciated the strong sense of community among residents and faculty.

Geet’s professional interests include pain medicine, health policy, and population health, with a focus on social emergency medicine. His research interests include firearm injury, epidemiology, and health disparities, and he is especially proud of his thesis analyzing trends in pediatric firearm injury encounters before and after COVID-19.

His clinical interests include resuscitation, airway emergencies, and ultrasound. At UW, he hopes to engage in research with the Center for Firearm Injury Prevention, gain flight experience with Airlift Northwest, and contribute to the Washington Telebuprenorphine Hotline. Outside of medicine, he enjoys backpacking, skiing, making espresso, cooking, and reading, and he is a certified Cicerone.

Omer Siddiqui (he/him/his)

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Omer completed his undergraduate education at the University of Washington before earning his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its variety and the opportunity to care for patients of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. He finds it especially meaningful to support patients through vulnerable moments, whether they present with routine concerns or life-threatening conditions.

At the University of Washington, Omer found a program defined by its strong clinical training and supportive culture. His experience as a visiting medical student introduced him to welcoming and highly skilled residents, and he was particularly drawn to the breadth of training across multiple sites, including Harborview Medical Center, UW Medical Center, Seattle Children’s, and Valley Medical Center.

Omer’s professional interests include social emergency medicine, medical education, and critical care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, climbing, backpacking, camping, and skiing. He is also a dedicated fan of the Denver Broncos and Denver Nuggets and looks forward to spending time with his wife and infant son.

David Sprott (he/him/his)

Weill Cornell Medicine

David Sprott is originally from Hemet, California. He served in the United States Marine Corps for five years before earning a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University and his MD from Weill Cornell Medicine. He was drawn to Emergency Medicine by a commitment to caring for all patients, regardless of their financial circumstances, and the opportunity to provide accessible, high-impact care.

At the University of Washington, David found a program that aligns with his priorities of academic rigor, strong clinical training, and meaningful investment in research and innovation. He was also drawn to the program’s location and its ability to support his long-term goals in Emergency Medicine.

David’s professional interests include inflammatory biomarkers and access to care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys boxing, running, and floral design.

Kiara Stanifer (she/her/hers)

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Kiara Stanifer is originally from Stockton, California. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and completed a Master of Arts in Teaching at Relay Graduate School of Education before receiving her MD from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Prior to medical school, she worked as a science teacher through Teach For America. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its range of acuity, hands-on procedures, and the opportunity to care for vulnerable patients in a specialty that serves as a safety net.

At the University of Washington, Kiara found a program that offers strong clinical training across county, academic, community, and pediatric settings, along with a supportive culture and meaningful mentorship. She was especially drawn to the program’s balance of rigorous training and resident well-being, as well as opportunities to explore interests in medical education and flight medicine while being close to her support system in Seattle.

Kiara’s professional interests include medical education, mentorship, curriculum development, and global health. She has been involved in developing resident-as-educator curriculum and leading programs that support students underrepresented in medicine. At UW, she hopes to continue work in medical education, expand community outreach efforts, and explore opportunities in flight medicine and global health. Outside of medicine, she enjoys exploring coffee shops, reading, writing, attending fitness classes, and watching short films.

Abbey Stoltenburg (she/her/hers)

Medical College of Wisconsin

Abbey is originally from New Berlin, Wisconsin. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and completed a Master of Arts in Education at Alverno College before receiving her MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Before medical school, she was part of the Milwaukee Teach For America Corps, where she taught high school biology for two years. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its team-based approach to patient care, the opportunity to advocate for underserved populations, and the variety and pace of the specialty.

At the University of Washington, Abbey found a program that offers training across diverse clinical settings, including county, academic, community, and rural environments. She was especially drawn to the opportunity to care for patients from a wide range of backgrounds, work alongside supportive residents, and explore the Pacific Northwest while being closer to friends in Seattle.

Abbey’s professional interests include medical education, social emergency medicine, sports medicine, and quality improvement, and she hopes to pursue a career in academic medicine focused on medical student education. She is particularly proud of her work helping to launch and sustain Science Night events in Milwaukee, which provide hands-on STEM and emergency skills education to local students and families. Outside of medicine, she enjoys intramural sports, running races and triathlons, hiking, camping, reading, and watching movies and TV shows.

Ari Thompson (they/them/theirs)

University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

 

 

 

Kathryn Tiger (she/her/hers)

University of Washington School of Medicine

Kathryn Tiger is originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho before receiving her MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its variety and the opportunity to care for a wide range of patients, as well as her passion for working with underserved populations and improving connections to the healthcare system.

At the University of Washington, Kathryn found a mission-driven program with strong exposure to social Emergency Medicine and a broad range of clinical experiences across academic, county, pediatric, and community settings. She was especially inspired by the work at Harborview Medical Center and its commitment to serving the community. Having already built strong ties to Seattle, she is excited to continue her training in a place she considers home.

Kathryn’s professional interests include social emergency medicine, health policy and advocacy, critical care, and ultrasound. She is considering a future in academic Emergency Medicine with a focus on teaching and mentorship, as well as policy work to support underserved patients. At UW, she hopes to get involved in prehospital medicine and initiatives such as buprenorphine distribution.

Outside of medicine, she enjoys attending concerts, exploring new restaurants and coffee shops, cooking and baking, board games and puzzles, and reading. She also enjoys making clay polymer magnets and has a talent for juggling and solving Rubik’s cubes, and she shares her home with her cat, Ground Beef.

Michelle Wang (she/her/hers)

University of Washington School of Medicine

Michelle is originally from Richland, Washington. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University before receiving her MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine. She was drawn to Emergency Medicine for its role as a safety net, valuing the ability to care for anyone who walks through the door seeking help.

At the University of Washington, Michelle found a program that stood out for its people, training, and location. She was especially drawn to the supportive environment and values-driven culture, as well as the opportunity to remain close to her community while enjoying access to both the mountains and the water.

Michelle’s professional interests include medical education and mentorship, public health, and quality improvement. Outside of medicine, she enjoys spending time outdoors skiing, hiking, paddleboarding, and picnicking, as well as playing guitar, going to the gym, solving New York Times games, needle-felting animals, and trying fresh-squeezed orange juice wherever she travels.