Duluth Residents

First year: Class of 2027

Patrick Barthman, DO (he/his)

Medical school: Rock Vista University - Southern Utah

Medical interests: Addiction medicine, gender-affirming care, PEP/PrEP, women's health, chronic disease management, sports medicine, full-spectrum medical care

Personal interests: rock climbing (particularly bouldering), running, video games, hiking, horror movies

Why Duluth: I chose UMN Duluth for residency as I was looking for strong training in all aspects of family medicine. Duluth offers robust, unopposed experiences, both inpatient and outpatient, all while being nestled in a city that has a need for exceptional generalists - what more could you want? Beyond that, the area has mountain biking, climbing, hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and so much more, plus incredible views while partaking. Taken all together, it's hard to beat northern Minnesota for training and living!

Career goals: to invest my energy in all aspects of the health of the community in which I practice.

Graham Hegstad, MD (he/his)

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Rural full-spectrum family medicine, preventative health, and sports medicine

Personal interests: Building computers, riding motorcycles, hiking, and playing basketball and tennis

Why Duluth: I wanted a strong training program that would prepare me to practice full spectrum care in a rural setting. I also went to medical school in Duluth and love the area.

Career goals: To practice full-spectrum family medicine in rural Minnesota

Autumn Hurd, MD (she/her)

Medical school: University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Medical interests: Obstetrics, reproductive and women's health, full spectrum rural family medicine, community and undeserved medicine, procedures

Personal interests: I enjoy baking, crafting, reading, running, and traveling (road trips are always welcome, and I'm excited to keep seeing new countries). I also love to be around family and friends while eating good food or having a fun movie night.

Why Duluth: Duluth Family Medicine Residency has a reputation for its strength in full-spectrum family medicine and well-rounded training, and I was excited to get to be a part of it. I was looking for a program that allowed me to focus on my interests in rural health, obstetrics, and the full spectrum, and Duluth fits in perfectly with that. It was also nice to see how the current/past residents spoke so highly of the program and the training they had received, and the town of Duluth itself. I mean, how could you get better than the beautiful view of Lake Superior and so many trees!

Kaila Long Voelkner, MD, MPH (she/they)

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Full-spectrum rural family medicine with particular interests in women's health, obstetrics, preventative care and procedures

Personal interests: I enjoy anything that gets me outdoors including hiking, wilderness canoeing, camping, paddleboarding, etc. I also enjoy reading, crocheting, playing card/board games, and spending time with family and friends!

Why Duluth: Duluth has every opportunity to train in the areas of medicine, I am most interested in, particularly full-spectrum rural medicine, obstetrics, and women's health, and procedures. The current residents and faculty members' supportive and welcoming nature during the interview process solidified my choice. Having the opportunity to train in the region where I grew up and hope to eventually practice is invaluable, not to mention that Duluth is a beautiful, diverse place to live!

Career goals: My goal is to practice full-spectrum rural family medicine incorporating obstetric care. I also hope to be involved in public health organizations.

Abby Munsterteiger, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full spectrum family medicine with OB, nutrition, and restorative reproductive health.

Personal interests: enjoying the great outdoors, regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming, card games, enjoying cup of coffee as the sun comes up, reading, spending quality time with my family and friends.

Why Duluth: This program is known to produce rural family medicine physicians, which I aspire to be. The curriculum is robust with opportunities to gain experiences specific to your interests. All of my interactions with the residents and faculty were warm and welcoming. The location offers ample outdoor recreational activities, and the view of Lake Superior can't be beat!

Career goals: I aspire to practice full-spectrum family medicine with obstetrics in rural Minnesota.

Laura Rudberg-Post, DO (she/her)

Medical school: Des Moines University

Medical interests: Osteopathic manual manipulation (OMM), the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), full-spectrum family medicine, FM+OB, surgical OB, office procedures, women's health, reproductive health, addiction medicine, LGBTQIA+ health

Personal interests: My wife and I love downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, paddling in the BWCA, camping, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, spending time at the cabin, fishing, and really anything else outdoors!

Why Duluth: I felt Duluth's mission would best prepare me to practice full-spectrum family medicine and OB in northern Minnesota. I felt right at home rotating in Duluth and the endless parks and trails for outdoor recreation are unbeatable!

Career goals: To practice full-spectrum family medicine in northern Minnesota with emphasis on osteopathic manipulation and OB.

Alexander Stamm, MD (he/his)

Medical school: Michigan State College of Human Medicine, Marquette

Medical interests: rural medicine, wilderness medicine, full-spectrum care, women's health

Personal interests: I enjoy the outdoors, kayaking, and camping. I enjoy board games and table top games. I also enjoy spending time with my four cats Litten, Olivander, Nymphadorable tonks, and Crookshanks

Why Duluth: Being right next to the Great Lakes was a goal when applying to residency, and Duluth's unique blend of location and learning opportunities made it the ideal residency.

Career goals: To practice full spectrum family-medicine in the northern Midwest.

Jacqueline Wille, MD, MPH (she/they)

Medical school: University of Minnesota

Medical interests: I am interested in providing full-spectrum family medicine, including preventative care, chronic disease management, obstetrics, sexual and reproductive health services, and LGBTQIA+ care.

Personal interests: I enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor hobbies, including biking, running, sewing, crocheting, and embroidery. I am also deeply committed to advancing social justice and recognize the responsibility of public health and medicine to help build more equitable and healthier communities.

Why Duluth: I chose Duluth Family Medicine Residency because of the excellent training opportunities it offers residents who plan to serve rural communities in the upper Midwest. After spending several years on the East Coast and abroad, I am also happy to stay in Minnesota, close to family and friends.

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine, including advanced obstetrics, in rural Minnesota and to contribute to public health work across the state.

Second year: Class of 2026

Hannah Castillo, MD (she/her)

Medical school: University of Michigan Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, expanding access to reproductive healthcare, adolescent medicine, and palliative care.

Personal interests: Hiking, camping, walking along Lake Superior, crocheting, reading sci fi and mysteries with a good cup of tea, taking cooking classes while traveling to explore new places.

Why Duluth: Duluth offers exceptional education in my primary areas of interest, which include women's health, obstetrics, medical education, and rural medicine. I am thrilled to be part of a residency program that is welcoming and encouraging, overall creating an incredible environment to train to be a well-rounded family physician with the ability to adapt to the needs of my community.

Mikayla Hong, MD (she/her)

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum rural family medicine, obstetrics, preventive care and procedures.

Personal interests: I really enjoy pretty much any crafty activity I can get my hands on - I love crotchet, cross-stitch, ceramics, and am always excited to try a new craft. I also love spending time outdoors hiking and camping with my husband.

Why Duluth: I absolutely love the north shore and am interested in full-spectrum rural family medicine and so was excited about getting to continue my training so close to my favorite places to visit. I've been super impressed with my prior eight years of University of Minnesota education so far and excited to have 11 years total after residency!

Kylie Kraft, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum rural family medicine, women's health, care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized, preventative care and mental health.

Personal interests: I enjoy spending time in the outdoors with my husband and our dog Ozzy. I also love to read, cook, listen to live music, and watch UND hockey.

Why Duluth: I completed medical school at the University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth Campus and instantly felt a sense of belonging to the community while I was here. After residency I plan to work as a rural family medicine physician for the Indian Health Service, and the Duluth program is well known for training outstanding rural family medicine doctors. Not to mention the endless outdoor activities Duluth has to offer and the unbeatable views of Lake Superior.

Liesl Larson, MD

Medical school: University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine

Medical interests: I enjoy the whole breadth of family medicine, but in particular I like women's health, global health, and rural medicine.

Personal interests: I really enjoy baking bread and desserts, finding new books to read, trying out new recipes for my partner and I, discovering new restaurants and breweries, and exploring the wonderful local parks and trails.

Why Duluth: I chose Duluth Family Medicine Residency for the excellent full-spectrum training that they have a reputation for providing. I also wanted to be closer to home after spending the last six years in Kansas City, and I am very excited to only be two hours away from family and to get to visit my nieces and nephews far more often. Lastly, I love the natural beauty of the North Shore and am excited to be living somewhere with such excellent parks, fishing, and hiking.

Thomas Marcroft, MD (he/him)

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: I love having a broad practice where I can see everything from routine well checks to chronic disease management to emergency and acute care. I have special interests in addiction medicine, gender care, sexual health and reproductive justice, care for unhoused patients, and point-of-care ultrasound.

Personal interests: I like to hike and camp and am excited to live in an area that allows access to so much natural beauty. I try to keep active with weightlifting, running, biking, and yoga. I love to cook and am always on the lookout for a new recipe to try.

Why Duluth: Growing up, Duluth was always my family’s vacation city, and the area has always had a special place in my heart. Prior to medical school I worked as an addiction and mental health therapist with a focus on care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized including people who are transgender and/or are without stable housing. I wanted a program that could give me a full-spectrum education while also allowing me to continue to work with the underserved communities I’m passionate about. Duluth’s program provides the comprehensive training of a rural-focused program while also offering extensive experiences in addiction medicine, gender care, and reproductive health.

Joe Metzger, DO (he/him)

Medical school: Des Moines University

Medical interests: Family medicine

Personal interests: Coaching high school mock trial, creative writing, and playing board games!

Why Duluth: Because Duluth is the coolest place on the planet! Almost literally!

Emily Ruba, MD (she/her)

Medical school: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine with an emphasis on women's health, mental health, pediatrics, and LGBTQ+ health. I am also passionate about care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized.

Personal interests: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking, reading, thrift shopping, painting, swimming, and hiking.

Why Duluth: The University of Minnesota has an exceptional reputation for providing full-spectrum training in family medicine and community health, and the Duluth program in particular offers the best of both worlds in allowing for training in a community-based but academically-oriented setting. When I interviewed, I was impressed by the faculty and residents and knew immediately that this was a community where I would thrive. The obstetrics training and community health opportunities are unparalleled, and I know this is a program that will set me up for success in achieving my personal and professional goals.

Sarah Steffen, MD, MMP (she/her)

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, obstetrics and reproductive health, pediatrics, community and underserved medicine, maternal-child health, procedures, global health, and care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized.

Personal interests: Spending time with family and friends, traveling around the world, baking, crocheting, adding to my plant family, cheering on the Green Bay Packers and the US Women’s National Soccer Team.

Why Duluth: I chose Duluth Family Medicine Residency for its strength in full-spectrum training, including its emphasis on obstetrics. I knew this program would provide me with the experience necessary to confidently care for patients of all ages and in all settings, while also being able to support me in my individual training goals. In addition to its reputation for strong, well-rounded training, I also chose Duluth for its welcoming and down-to-earth residents, faculty, and staff. During my interview and "second look" day, it was evident that the residents were part of a genuine and thoughtful community in which they were cared for and respected. Residency is rigorous and to know that I would be supported both in my education and as a person was important to me. I am beyond excited to the join the Duluth Family Medicine Residency and look forward to exploring and living in such a beautiful, scenic area!

Third Year: Class of 2025

Josie Gable, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Name a topic in medicine, and it will likely spark some curiosity in me. Mostly I enjoy seeing a variety of people throughout my day! I particularly enjoy community medicine, procedures, acute care, prenatal care, well child visits, and regular adult check-ups where I can spend some time getting to know my patients better.

Personal interests: The outdoors are my happy place! I personally love exploring ridges, forests, trails, and wetlands and seeing what types of animals and plants that I can find and identify. I am particularly interested in bird watching, finding orchids, and searching for morel mushrooms with my husband and dog in the springtime. I also enjoy some indoor activities including oil painting, making homemade pizza, and baking.

Why Duluth: I love Duluth Family Medicine Residency for their mission of training broad-spectrum family medicine physicians with a strong emphasis on community medicine, acute care, and inpatient training. I have had my eye on this residency since starting medical school in Duluth long ago! I am confident that I will receive an education that will prepare me for serving rural, northern Minnesota and that I will build numerous connections with other physicians in the area that will also be a resource for me and my future patients. Plus, I will love waking up to Lake Superior every day!

Elena Jaffer, MD

Medical school: University of Washington School of Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, rural health, inpatient medicine, public, and preventative health.

Personal interests: I enjoy anything outside, especially in new places, camping, backpacking, canoeing, skiing, soccer, softball, etc.! I just ran my first marathon last spring, and I've been swimming longer than that. I enjoy reading historical fiction books and watching goofy movies.

Why Duluth: I have always wanted to be a full-spectrum family medicine physician in a rural area. I have long been aware of the University of Minnesota's strong foundations in public health and family medicine. Duluth's unopposed curriculum with its integrated longitudinal component will prepare me well. I went to college in Iowa and always hoped I would have the opportunity to return to the Midwest. I am so excited to continue my training in a friendly city with easy outdoor access!

Sarah Kinsey, MD

Medical school: University of Utah School of Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum rural family medicine, with a particular interest in obstetrics, underserved medicine, LGBTQIA+ medicine, and addiction medicine.

Personal interests: I really enjoy being outside - hiking, biking, backpacking, skiing, and paddle boarding. I also love cooking and trying new recipes while listening to podcasts and stand up comedy.

Why Duluth: After residency I plan to practice full-spectrum family medicine in a rural community. I felt that Duluth had the best of both worlds: a rigorous family medicine curriculum in association with a reputable major academic medical center, plus a strong rural training thanks to the large rural Minnesota population that they serve. Of course, you can’t beat Lake Superior!

Austin Pickup, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, obstetrics, preventative care, and mental health.

Personal interests: I love hiking, biking, snowboarding, video games, and playing with my new puppy, Jenga.

Why Duluth: Duluth has a reputation for being a well-rounded and challenging residency. I knew I wanted to learn how to do everything I could in these short years, and Duluth stood out to me. It also helps that the gorgeous city offers plenty of outdoor access, and it is one of the closest programs to my family in the Twin Cities.

Megan Sandberg, MD

Medical school: Western Michigan University School of Medicine

Medical interests: I am interested in full-spectrum and rural family medicine, women’s health, preventative care, and procedures.

Personal interests: I love anything to do with water including sailing, paddle boarding, scuba diving, walking on the beach with my dog, and swimming. I also love to bake desserts and bread, read a good book, paint, and try new restaurants and breweries with friends and family.

Why Duluth: Duluth provides an excellent education in the areas that I am most interested in: rural medicine, women’s health and obstetrics, procedures, and medical education. Not only will I gain the training that I need, but the views of Lake Superior and the supportive and welcoming resident community are unbeatable.

Molly Vail-Jackson, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: I am interested in full-spectrum family medicine including caring for those of all ages. I really enjoy women’s health, addiction medicine, chronic disease management, and preventative medicine.

Personal interests: I enjoy spending time at my family cabin where I like to go pontooning and enjoy reading a good book with a cup of coffee overlooking the lake. I also enjoy taking my two dogs, Drake and Louie, for walks, cooking, trying new restaurants, playing board games, and spending time with friends and family.

Why Duluth: I chose the Duluth Family Medicine Residency for many reasons. First, I lived in Duluth for the first two years of medical school and I loved the idea of returning. My fiancé also lives and works only one hour from Duluth, so the location was ideal for us to be as close as possible during these three years of residency. In addition to the location, I also chose Duluth for the full-spectrum training opportunities and the down-to-earth and welcoming faculty and residents. I was lucky enough to complete a rotation with the Duluth residency during medical school and following that, I knew it was the place where I wanted to be. Duluth felt like home, and I am very excited and feel very lucky to have the opportunity to complete residency with the Duluth program.

Jacob Wilcox, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family practice, obesity medicine, lifestyle medicine, sports medicine, and wilderness medicine.

Personal interests: Running, lifting, camping, hiking, downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, dogs, and woodworking.

Why Duluth: Duluth has an excellent training program for family practice. It offers extensive learning opportunities mixed with a welcoming community of doctors and residents. In addition, Duluth and the North Shore is a truly amazing place to live. Duluth has been a part of my life since I was little. I love the area, and I love the people that call this place home.

Rachel Wilcox, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family practice, rural health, obstetrics, and women's care, in-office procedures, dermatology, allergy, and adolescent medicine.

Personal interests: Running, houseplants, alpine and Nordic skiing, camping, hiking and backpacking, swimming in lakes, stand-up paddling, baking sourdough bread, and coffee-making.

Why Duluth: This program has a longstanding history of training full-spectrum family physicians with strengths in rural medicine and obstetrics. I knew that this program would provide me with the experience and training necessary to feel confident treating patients of all ages and to do obstetrics in more rural settings. The residents and faculty are passionate people excited about family medicine and caring for this community. It certainly helps that the North Shore is a beautiful area with access to the outdoors year-round!

Graduates

Below are our graduates of the last few years, including their current practice site.