First Year
Valery Tran, M.D.
Hometown: Den Haag, NLD
Undergraduate: Washington University, St Louis, MO
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I was particularly impressed with the resident comradeship and faculty-to-resident ratio here – it really feels like a family! Geographically, I appreciated that SMEF, being an unopposed program, would give me the opportunity to be involved in the full care of our patient population in every clinical setting, while being in a town large enough to house the full gamut of medical sub-specialties.
Robert Paul Andrews, M.D.
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Undergraduate: University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF due to the large amount of inpatient and emergency medicine that is offered. I intend to practice as a hospitalist with some shifts covering the ER and felt this program would offer me the broadest range of experiences and training. I felt I would leave the program prepared to care for any patient who I would see in the hospital.
Kylie Cowdin, M.D.
Hometown: Northfield, MN
Undergraduate: Winona State University, Winona, MN
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I knew that I wanted to do lots of obstetrics after residency, and I knew I would get a lot of OB experience at this unopposed program. I also wanted to be able to use my Spanish, and there is definitely that opportunity at SMEF. Lastly, I wanted a residency where I would feel supported and enjoy the people I work with.
Jeffrey Cotter, M.D.
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Undergraduate: Newman University, Wichita, KA
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita
Why I Chose SMEF: I was looking for a program that could prepare me for any path I decided to take in my career. I am interested in many aspects of family medicine care delivery and fellowship opportunities. I knew that Siouxland Medical Education Foundation would prepare me for any path I desired upon completing the program. I could not be happier with my decision!
Erik Burnison, M.D.
Hometown: Huron, SD
Undergraduate: University of South Dakota-Vermillion
Medical School: University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: With a fairly large population yet still remaining an unopposed residency, we get an exceptionally broad range of opportunities to practice medicine. The attendings and staff are knoweldegable, easy to communicate with, and well-respected in the community. With 6 residents per class, the workload is manageable and the atmosphere is constructive, supportive, and fosters our independence.
Eli Wayman, M.D.
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE
Medical School: University of Nebraska College of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I wanted an unopposed family medicine program. I wanted to be able to work directly with physicians and not have to compete with residents from other residency programs (OB/GYN, internal medicine, surgery, etc) for opportunities. When I was applying to residency programs, I was told the analogy that it is better to be on a division II school (Siouxland) and on the field playing than on a division I (university associated residencies) and on the bench. From what I’ve seen from family medicine residents at university associated programs, that is the case. Often they are on the bench. I’d rather be in the game!
Second Year
Sean Nelson, M.D.
Hometown: Portage, WI
Undergraduate:
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose to come to SMEF because of the opportunity for exceptional training in full-spectrum Family Medicine at a community-based and truly unopposed residency program. There were other “unapposed” programs, but which shared the hospital with numerous other residents in various specialties from other programs. The access to procedures to enhance my training here was unparalleled. My wife’s family lives in Omaha, so the location was a bonus as well.
Mary Catherine Mohr, D.O.
Hometown: Alexandria, MN
Undergraduate:
Medical School: DO, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose to come to SMEF because it offered full-spectrum Family Medicine that is community-based and unopposed. Training here will prepare me to work almost anywhere. The diverse patient population found in Sioux City gives plenty of opportunity to see and do things that might be more common in an urban practice, while also serving the surrounding rural populations. This is a great place to get trained as a competent and experienced Family Medicine physician who will feel comfortable working in many different practice environments.
Lauren Norman, M.D.
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate:
Medical School: St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Why I Chose SMEF: As a medical student I tried my best to apply to mostly unopposed Family Medicine programs. I didn’t want to have to compete with other residents for procedures, deliveries, i.e. learning opportunities! I chose to come to SMEF because I knew I would be able to get the full spectrum training I wanted so that I’d be prepared for the future. For the most part, this place felt like home when I visited, the faculty and the residents were so warm and inviting. I don’t exactly know where I will end up after residency, but I know I’ll be prepared after training here at SMEF.
Kristen Maylott, D.O.
Hometown: Enfield, Connecticut
Undergraduate: University of New Haven, West Haven, CT
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF because I completed a rotation with them and really enjoyed my time with the residents and faculty. I formed a great connection with the residents and really felt like they took me in to their “family.” I am interested in rural medicine and the unopposed training at SMEF provides a great foundation, as well as, the skills and experience necessary to practice in a rural area. Also, I wanted a program that provided healthcare for an under- served population and SMEF participates in community health as well as prenatal care for patients on the reservations. After spending a month with SMEF, I felt the environment was very positive, supportive, and the perfect fit for me!
Dylan Smith, M.D.
Hometown: Table Rock, NE
Undergraduate: Wayne State College
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why I Chose SMEF: Knowing that I eventually want to return to a rural community, I wanted an unopposed program that would prepare me for whatever might walk through the door. With a strong overall training, including OB, I feel that that SMEF is definitely the right program for me.
Cora Ruhl, M.D.
Hometown: Leon, KS
Undergraduate: Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS
Medical School: KU School of Medicine – Salina, KS
Why I Chose SMEF: I am interested in rural medicine, so I was very impressed with the rural focus at Siouxland. Everyone I met seemed genuinely interested in who I am and what I want out of residency. The people at Siouxland are warm and friendly, and I felt like I fit in well.
Third Year
Tou Lee Xiong M.D.
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Undergraduate: University of California, Davis
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose Sioux City for several reasons. I was impressed by the warmth and camaraderie of the residents and faculty. This will be important as I spend the next several years of my life with this family. The city is not too big and not too small. It offers a small town feel while having enough to do. I also like that the residency program is the only one in the city, giving me the opportunity to learn from a wide range of medical specialists and practices..
Ngoc Mai, M.D.
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Undergraduate: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Why I Chose SMEF: I was interested in a full scope unopposed family medicine program that would prepare me for any kind of circumstances. I was also impressed with how the program really emphasized on the balance of work and personal well being.
Maria Johnson, M.D.
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate:
Medical School: University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF because I wanted the opportunity to practice full-scope family practice to ensure I am comfortable handling anything that is thrown at me in the future. I also really loved the camaraderie I observed between the residents, faculty and staff during my interview.
Mallory Forsyth, M.D.
Hometown: Olathe, KS
Undergraduate:
Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine- Wichita
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose to come to SMEF because I plan on practicing in rural Kansas and wanted a Midwest program that would be able to prepare me to practice full spectrum medicine. I am interested in sports medicine, office procedures, pediatrics and obstetrics.
Evan Davis, M.D.
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Undergraduate: University of Missouri – Rolla
Medical School: Saint Louis University
Why I Chose SMEF: The people. Of all the programs I investigated, this one had the most welcoming environment and the greatest bond both among residents and with staff/faculty. I additionally enjoyed the blend of patients here – we treat a wide variety of ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, which I felt would prepare me well for the challenges of any environment in which I might eventually practice.
Destiny M. Miller, M.D.
Hometown: Vail, Iowa
Undergraduate:
Medical School: Ross University School of Medicine; Picard, Dominica; West Indies
Why I Chose SMEF: I chose SMEF because of the opportunities it provides and for its location. I plan on practicing full-spectrum, Family Medicine in rural Iowa and I feel that SMEF will prepare me well for this while also allowing me to be relatively close to my family. The community based, unopposed program allows for us to get great hands on experience and the opportunities for learning are endless!
Alana Ryan, D.O.
Hometown: Overland Park, KS
Undergraduate:
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Why I Chose SMEF: After years of studying across much of the south and Midwest my husband and I were excited for an opportunity to be close to his family (he’s from Remsen, Iowa) and for me to train at a full-spectrum unopposed program. We plan to stay in the central Midwest after graduation, hopefully serving in a rural community.