North Memorial Residents

Loretta O. Akpala, MD

Medical school: University of Medicine and Sciences, St. Kitts

Medical interests: Treating populations that are underserved and/or vulnerable, family medicine/primary care, full-spectrum medicine, addiction medicine, mentoring, and social determinants of health.

Personal interests: Faith-based meditation, family quality time, traveling, walking around lakes, indoor cycling, music, and fostering meaningful connections with people.

Why North Memorial: It is a rigorous, full-spectrum clinical training program that competently trains you to provide accessible and high-quality medical care to populations that are diverse, underserved and/or vulnerable in urban or rural settings. I also appreciate its supportive faculty and residents as well as the dedication to resident wellness; the opportunity to pursue my continued interest in addiction medicine and clinical research; its involvement in multiple corporate social responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that involve medical education, mentoring, community engagement, outreach, and support; and its involvement in activities that address social determinants of health.

Career goals: Utilizing an integrative approach for the treatment, recovery maintenance, and relapse prevention among vulnerable people with substance use disorders as well as advocating for initiatives that lead to positive outcomes related to social determinants of health. I also want to be a mentor.

Layne Anderson, MD

Medical school: University of Colorado School of Medicine

Medical interests: Hospice and palliative care, sustainable and equitable primary and preventative care, global medicine, social justice, addiction medicine, and immigrant health.

Personal interests: Spending time with family and friends, running, listening to live music, skiing (XC and downhill), hiking, biking, and drawing/typography.

Why North Memorial: I had the opportunity to do an away rotation with the Broadway/North Memorial group during my fourth year at University of Colorado. I was met with an immediate and overwhelming understanding that this team, while carrying unique passions, is unified in working for the greater good. There was something intangible and inspiring in everyone I met, and I knew quickly that this is the kind of community in which I want to train and grow.

Career goals: My goal is to engage in long-lasting relationships with people I see as patients. I have had a strong passion for palliative, hospice, and primary care for many years and would like to act as a bridge for people to engage with either/both philosophies of care when appropriate. I would also like to participate in advocacy and community engagement work in the communities I serve.

Katie Casty, MD, MS

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, underserved medicine, mental health, addiction medicine, and sexual and reproductive health.

Personal interests: Running, biking, cross-country skiing, reading, and cooking and baking.

Why North Memorial: Strong full-spectrum training with a focus on urban underserved care, commitment to the community, many opportunities to pursue specific interests through electives, and an incredibly supportive and cohesive team of faculty and residents.

Career goals: Practice full-spectrum family medicine in an underserved setting.

Nardos Dawit, MD

Medical school: University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Medical interests: Women's health, lifestyle medicine, nutrition, addiction medicine, and health equity.

Personal interests: Spending time with my family, tennis, hiking, healthy cooking, and teaching.

Why North Memorial: North Memorial puts the community at the center of how they practice and teach medicine. The potential of our patients and community is the greatest asset we have for improving health, and I wanted to train at a place that embodied that. Everyone I met was so welcoming and passionate!

Career goals: Full-spectrum family medicine in an underserved community.

Rebekah Fiers, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth

Medical interests: Preventative health care, health equity, underserved medicine (rural and urban), full-spectrum family medicine, clinic procedures, community engagement and advocacy, reproductive justice, LGBTQIA+ healthcare, and addiction medicine.

Personal interests: Spending time with my partner, cat, and family/friends. Visiting bookstores to find a good book to read with a good cup of coffee. Gardening (indoor and outdoor), exploring the outdoors (hiking, skiing, hammocks), and traveling (most recently to five national parks). Painting, drawing, and photography.

Why North Memorial: During medical school, I was part of different advocacy initiatives as well as involved with the MAFP and AAFP. I am inspired by all the work North Memorial residents have done to advocate for their patients, both in the clinic and on the legislative level, and I wanted to be part of that. I wanted to be at a program that is passionate about caring for underserved populations and being connected to the community outside the clinic. Lastly, to be near friends and family, especially my one-year-old niece.

Career goals: To provide full-spectrum family medicine to an underserved community. Provide access to gender-affirming care and medication-assisted therapy. Continue to advocate for health equity.

Ellis Atemlefeh Fualefeh-Morfaw, MD

Medical school: University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Cameroon

Medical interests: Immigrant and refugee medicine, African and African American cultures and racial disparities in health care, community health, sports medicine, reproductive justice, maternal and child health, and integrative and holistic healing.

Personal interests: Making spicy barbeque "suya," spending time with friends and family, and playing sports (team handball and soccer).

Why North Memorial: I chose this program because of its warm, welcoming faculty and focus on full-spectrum family medicine, diversity, equity and social justice, maternal and child health, and sports medicine. As a first-generation American citizen and first-generation medical doctor, the experience of living in Minnesota through the Coronavirus pandemic and the uprising following the death of George Floyd deeply highlighted for me the importance of primary care and working with underserved communities. My dream is to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to provide the best evidence-based care to my patients, and this program is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow into this dream.

Career goals: Serving underserved communities, either in emergency medicine or sports medicine.

Adjoa Kusi-Appiah, MD

Medical school: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Medical interests: Black health, adolescent medicine, community engagement, health of justice-involved persons, health equity, advocacy, community-based participatory research, diversifying medicine, mental wellness, patient activation and empowerment, and bridging primary care and public health in the elimination of health disparities.

Personal interests: Natural haircare, couponing, hammocking, long walks, karaoke, wine tasting, yoga, drop-in dance classes, cruises, afternoon tea, attending NBA games, and repping all things MSU and Detroit.

Why North Memorial: I chose North Memorial because of their consistent commitment to community, and the ready-for-change and ready-to-make-change attitude. North Memorial aligned with my mission to train and practice community-centered medicine through the lens of social justice. Serving in a community that looks like me made this choice all the more special. I distinctly recall reviewing the North Memorial Web page when searching for programs; I was impressed but skeptical. On my interview day, they walked the walk and talked the talk.

Career goals: My long-term career goal is to establish a clinic in partnership with a community-based organization: a collaborative of healthcare providers, community members, community leaders, and public health practitioners working toward meeting the needs of the community. I hope to center patients, lead and heal outside the walls of the clinic, and uplift others through mentorship.

Aaron Rosenblum, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Primary care, environmental health, health equity, mental health, addiction, family planning/reproductive health, community health, preventative medicine, and integrative medicine.

Personal interests: Growing food, tinkering, walks, making and seeing art, and building community/grassroots power.

Why North Memorial: I'd heard murmurs throughout medical school at the University of Minnesota that the program at North Memorial was full of good people, supportive energy, and had a solid community-based mission that set out on the difficult path of collaborative, patient-centered care, while training residents to seek solutions beyond the walls of the clinic/hospital. My sub-internship confirmed that this program would be one that would challenge me to grow into the best version of myself, both personally and professionally.

Career goals: A broad-spectrum primary care practice in an urban or rural setting, and continued engagement in community-based work aimed at shaping an equitable and sustainable future.

Mikaela Coburn-Pierce, MD, MPH

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Health equity, underserved medicine, community health, public health, addiction medicine, palliative care, and geriatrics.

Personal interests: Sports, yoga, walking, knitting, and spending time with my family.

Why North Memorial: I chose this program because of its commitment and engagement with the community. The program offers flexible elective time, which will allow me time to pursue my areas of interest while also training in full-spectrum family medicine.

Danielle Day, DO

Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Underserved medicine, social justice in medicine, sports medicine, osteopathic manual medicine, preventative health, and wellness.

Personal interests: Live music/EDM festivals, traveling, hiking, Orange Theory Fitness, and Minnesota sports.

Why North Memorial: After undergrad at UW-Madison and medical school in Iowa, my heart yearned to return home to the Twin Cities. North Memorial has continuously inspired me with its passion for underserved medicine and its amazing training in sports medicine and osteopathic manual medicine. Even through virtual interviews, it was clear that North Memorial was perfect for me. I am blessed to be part of the Broadway family!

Ninah Divine, MD

Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Medical interests: Health equity, Native American health, community engagement, public health, reproductive health, maternal and child health, adolescent health, and addiction medicine.

Personal interests: Baking cakes, cookies, bread, tarts, balancing my sweet tooth with hearty home-cooked meals, spending time outdoors, and learning about local plants and animals.  

Why North Memorial: I wanted to be part of a program working toward making medicine a more inclusive field and one that better addresses social determinants of health for all patients. North Memorial is where I could do that and feel supported. The healthcare at North Memorial is grounded in authentic engagement with the community and advocacy beyond the clinic walls, which is how I want to train and practice medicine.

Rachel Feliciano, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Health equity, underserved medicine, community health, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, adolescent health, gender-affirming care, addiction medicine, global health, mental health, infectious diseases, and palliative care.

Personal interests: Music, playing piano, hiking, being in nature, travel, indoor and outdoor plants, yoga, reading, podcasts, anime films, ice cream, and sharing good food with family and friends.

Why North Memorial: Exceptional, dedicated, and compassionate faculty, staff, and residents who create a supportive and fun environment. Strong community partnerships with intentionality and humility. The tangible commitment to building health equity and making sure that medicine is truly for everyone. Robust elective opportunities while building a strong foundation in full-spectrum family medicine.

Laura Lara, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, social justice, underserved and stigmatized medicine, immigrant and refugee medicine, AI/AN health, full-spectrum family planning, sexual health, addiction medicine, gender-affirming care, LGBTQ+ care, body diversity/size-inclusive medicine, health literacy, mental health, global health, community engagement, and health policy and advocacy.

Personal interests: Spending time with my partner, kids, dogs, cats, snakes, tarantulas, parrots, and other pets. Anything outdoors, travel (especially to see my in-laws in Mexico), prairie restoration, non-human animal rehabilitation/rescue, reading, dancing, morel-hunting, finding out I'm wrong about stuff, and trying to do better.

Why North Memorial: Social justice, activism, and advocacy. Deeply engaged residents, faculty, and alumni that push you to do better and to grow, as well as making you feel appreciated and welcomed. Woven together with the surrounding community, working unitedly and asking one another how to advance. Incredible breadth and depth of training in full-spectrum family medicine with leaders in their fields. A place that reminds you why medicine is your passion.

David Marshall, MD, MPH

Medical school: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, maternal and child health, reproductive justice, family planning, mental health, preventive medicine, health equity, community advocacy, and global public health, among others!

Personal interests: Backpacking, skiing, rock climbing, fly fishing, guitar, traveling, cooking, woodworking, and most importantly, spending time with my family and friends.

Why North Memorial: The passion for social justice, the commitment to the community, and the dedication to delivering high-quality patient care have been so evident throughout all of my interactions with faculty, staff, and residents at North Memorial. The opportunities for public health and community advocacy are unparalleled, and the program also offers robust training in inpatient medicine, obstetrics, and procedures. So happy to be a part of the North Memorial family!

Caroline Nyamweya Tekeste, DO

Medical school: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, underserved medicine, behavioral medicine, addiction medicine, community-focused medicine, medical issues affecting refugees, immigrants, prisoners, health policy and advocacy, and advancing social justice, diversity, and equity through medicine.

Personal interests: Hiking, cooking, and trying out ethnic food recipes from different cultures, music, volunteering, tutoring, reading, mentoring, and traveling.

Why North Memorial: Exceptional involvement in the community, level-one trauma center for training, support for advocacy, social justice, diversity, and equity. Commitment to understanding and addressing ALL social determinants of health including law and policy, opportunities for university-supported research, supportive environment, great teachers, and residents that value serving others through medicine.

Austin Peña, MD

Medical school: Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine Arizona

Medical interests: Full-spectrum primary care, rural medicine, underserved medicine, at-risk youth, exercise as medicine, global health, wilderness medicine, and community health promotion.

Personal interests: Drawing, mountaineering, hiking, trail running, coffee, history, and boxing.

Why North Memorial: I want to train at a residency program that will prepare me for my career goals of working in an underserved setting while practicing full-spectrum family medicine. North Memorial will allow me to build a strong foundation in both of these interests while providing ample resources to explore and gain other essential skills in primary care.

Yeng Yang, DO

Medical school: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, underserved medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, sports medicine, community-based medicine, and procedures.

Personal interests: Cooking, eating, playing sports (soccer, football, and tennis), watching tv/movies, and playing video games.

Why North Memorial: I was drawn to North Memorial because it is an unopposed family medicine residency program with a strong full-spectrum curriculum. As a Hmong American, I am passionate about serving the Hmong population, and North Memorial allows me to work with the Hmong community in Minneapolis. During my interactions with the faculty and staff members, I sensed that they deeply cared about the well-being of their resident physicians and knew I would thrive as a resident at North Memorial.

Darien Jourdaine, DO

Medical school: A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

Medical interests: Osteopathic manipulative medicine, women's health, pediatrics, and serving underserved communities both in the clinic and beyond.

Personal interests: Nature, hiking, odd museums, audiobooks, art and DIY projects, dad jokes, and hanging with my turtles.

Why North Memorial: The deep and authentic commitment to the community is palpable and contagious. Faculty and residents have unique interests that, when combined together, create a beautiful whole. There is ample opportunity to tailor training to personal passions while still maintaining full-spectrum family medicine training.

Ian Latham, MD

Medical school: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, underserved medicine, addiction medicine, reproductive health, family planning, LGBTQ health and gender-affirming care, community-focused medicine, and health policy and advocacy.

Personal interests: Cooking and trying new cuisines, home brewing and other fermentation, board games and puzzles, camping, and adventurous eating (especially super- and ultra-hot peppers!).

Why North Memorial: Robust full-spectrum training, a strong commitment to North Minneapolis demonstrated through purposeful community engagement, opportunities to work with both urban and rural underserved populations, a strong social mission with attention to health inequities, and opportunities to provide comprehensive addiction care.

Emily Lund, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota - Duluth

Medical interests: Community health and engagement, social and preventive medicine, underserved and addiction medicine, health policy/advocacy, and medical education and health literacy.

Personal interests: Cooking, baking desserts, walking around lakes/rivers, yoga, trying to semi-successfully garden, relaxing with family and friends, and baby-talking to my dog.

Why North Memorial: I was looking for a residency program that is committed to and supports their community - beyond the clinic and hospital. Amazing faculty and residents who I trust to teach and guide me. The opportunity to learn from colleagues who are leaders in local, statewide, and national advocacy. Plus it's part of my neighborhood!

Catherine Pang, MD

Medical school: Eastern Virginia Medical School

Medical interests: Underserved medicine and immigrant/refugee health, chronic disease management, preventive medicine, nutrition and wellness, addiction medicine, geriatrics, medical education, patient health literacy, and integrative medicine.

Personal interests: Cooking/learning global cuisines, knitting, outdoor cardio activities, watching TV series/anime, reading, music of any genre, sketching and journaling, enjoying tea from around the world.

Why North Memorial: I chose North Memorial for its dedication to health policy and to caring for the underserved, all while providing exceptional medical training designed to produce family medicine physicians able to advocate and care for disadvantaged populations. The inspiring, supportive, and compassionate faculty and residents all strive for excellence, care for each other and for their patients' well being, and serve to advance both community healthcare and residency education. I also appreciate the in-depth and rigorous full-spectrum medical training offered at North Memorial Hospital, as well as the culture of respect, humility, and continuous learning that is ingrained throughout the curriculum and the program itself. Everyone here is kind to each other and fun to be with as well!

Tara Schaack, DO

Medical school: Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, underserved medicine and health equity, women's health, reproductive advocacy, OB/prenatal care, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, preventative medicine, chronic disease management, mental health and wellness, and healthcare leadership.

Personal interests: Anything active and outdoors (swimming, hiking, biking, skiing), backpacking at national parks, spending time with loved ones, reading, crafting, games, cooking with friends, and snuggle time with my dog Jake.

Why North Memorial: Full-spectrum training with a focus on underserved medicine and advocacy, community and resource focused, graduating residents are prepared to practice in both rural and urban settings, exceptional attendings and staff, residents are very passionate about their patients and the program, and a very supportive family vibe with an "if you can dream it, you can do it" mentality.

John Ward, MD

Medical school: Emory University

Medical interests: Health equity and underserved medicine, adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, palliative care, addiction medicine.

Personal interests: Art, piano, soccer, gaming, hiking, running, staying as up to date as I can on politics and memes.

Why North Memorial: North Memorial's residency program is well integrated into the surrounding community. The faculty and residents have a good sense of humor but also are clearly dedicated to serving the community and giving residents plenty of tools and opportunities to grow as public servants.