John Burkhardt, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: Case Western Reserve

John is our resident prodigal son. After receiving his undergraduate degree in History here at the University of Michigan, he left to find High Adventure and dabble in piracy on the High Seas, however it was to his own good luck that he lacked any real direction sense and immediately ended up with a medical degree from Case Western and a burning desire to practice Emergency Medicine. Despite an extensive bi-coastal search he was lured back to Ann Arbor by the siren song of her interesting, smart, and occasionally very unique people with her perfect combination of town and gown environment. Those things and of course the promise of getting to wear a Maize and Blue Flight suit. Since his return, John has not regretted one second of returning to his alma mater. Whether meeting people with diseases named after them in the University of Michigan Emergency Department, rushing someone directly into the Cath Lab at St. Joes, or placing yet another chest tube in a GSW patient at Hurley, John's everyday job far exceeds any previous desires at global treasure hunting.

When not patterning himself a modern day Super-hero, John is an active member of the residency social scene often winning large sums of money totaling upwards of 50 cents in our local poker games. While taking others money (and making them feel bad about it) is a great deal of fun to this Junior Emergency Medicine Resident, his greatest current love is his season tickets to Michigan Football. Devoted to a fault, he will happily teach you all the words to The Victors and not just the refrain everyone else sings. (Yes, in fact there are quite a few more lyrics) Of course after last season, it did require multiple residents and five of Haldol to calm John down and get him off the ledge. Now better medicated John awaits another great season and another interesting year in the Emergency Department.

Pat Carter, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: Tufts University

Kent Collin, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: Albany Medical College

Jen Frankel, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: University of Connecticut

When looking for residency programs I wanted something new. I had lived in the Northeast my entire life and figured residency would be a great opportunity to try living in a new part of the country. I was drawn to Ann Arbor because it was a small city with a lot to offer. For a small city it has so much to do in terms of culture, restaurants, sports, and it has beautiful parks for outdoor activities. Everyone I met at the dinner before my interview and on interview day was very passionate about the program and seemed to be great friends outside of work not just at the hospital and this was confirmed in my year here. I look forward hanging out with my friends at poker night, monthly potlucks, or just grabbing a beer after work. I had a great time intern year, learned a lot, and am enjoying applying that knowledge in the department seeing sicker patients as the second year.

Kurt Hessen, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: University of Minnesota Mineapolis

I was borned and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. I received my undergraduate education at Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I then moved back to Minnesota and went to medical school at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis. I now live in Ypsilanti with my girlfriend (Megan) and our new black lab (Kili). When choosing a residency program I was drawn to the University of Michigan for a number of reasons. One thing that was particularly important was the three hospitals that we rotate through. Each one having a unique patient population and system in the ER. I think it is a wonderful way to see a wide variety of presentations but also to decide what kind of environment you want to work in in the future. Also, the end of medical school seemed like a particularly good time to move and see a new area. There are numerous activities both in the city and its surrounding lakes, parks and other cities. Also, it is a quick drive to Detroit to see any concerts or sporting events you may be interested in.

Nada Khogali, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: Michigan State University

Ashley Kinsey, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: University of Kansas

Dan Korn, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: University of Michigan

I initially moved to Michigan to attend medical school. I am originally from Alaska and migrated to Michigan via a circuitous route: undergrad in Idaho, English teaching in Siberia, and fish pathology work in Alaska. I have a family of four who all enjoy the area immensely. I do a lot of fly fishing both in town, and on several trout and salmon streams within a three hour drive. I initially thought about leaving Michigan for residency and looked at great programs all over the country. I decided to stay here after gaining a broader perspective on the quality of my home institution when compared with many other programs. I am happy with my decision and have found the program to be rigorous, my colleagues/faculty to be great people and clinicians. I enjoy having the variety of training opportunities at three different hospital systems all with unique patient populations. I find this has made for a well balanced overall experience.

Rocky Oteng, MD
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Med School: University of Cincinnati

Becky Prepejchal, MD
Hometown: Traverse City, MI
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: Wayne State University

I am a Michigan native, having grown up near Traverse City. I moved down to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, earning degrees in biology, chemistry and teaching. I stayed in town after graduation to teach biology in one of the local high schools, Pioneer. After many years of teaching I decided to change careers and go into medicine. I went to med school at Wayne State and eventually wound up back in Ann Arbor once again for residency. I like living in Ann Arbor because of the mixture of town with college. There are several nice restaurants and happy-hour pubs downtown, as well as the local theater performances, and the university and professional performances at both hill auditorium and the power center. Of course, let's not forget those fall Saturday performances in "the big house". Ann Arbor also has many parks, co-rec leagues in just about any sport you want, canoeing, biking. . . There are more things to do than time to do them-- and if you travel further "up north", to where I'm from, you have sandy beaches, crystal clear lakes, down-hill and cross country skiing, cherry orchards, wine tasting.

Dave Somand, MD
Hometown: Boston, MA
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: University of Michigan

I am a second year EM resident, and, having attended UM for both undergraduate and medical school, am on my way to becoming a UM lifer. I chose to stay because of the program's three, diverse training sites, as well as the wide range of opportunities for EM research. It doesn't hurt that Ann Arbor is a beautiful college town with four seasons worth of weather and sporting events. I am married with 2 large dogs, and spend my free time cooking, skiing, or walking the dogs through the arb.

Melinda Turner, MD
Hometown: I don't Know
Undergrad: University of Michigan
Med School: Johns Hopkins University

Ann Arbor has become home to us. We've especially loved the inviting trails in the public parks, canoeing on the Huron river, the countless warm and whimsical candlelit jazz nights at the Firefly Club, traipsing through the arboretum on foggy days after work, spontaneous nights out at the Ark listening to national folk and rock artists, yummy cozy brunches at Aut and the Broken Egg and casual browsing at one of the best academic bookstores in the states, Shaman Drum. We found the infectious friendliness of the midwest very refreshing after years on the East Coast, and look forward to the next three years here!