St. John's Residents

First Year: Class of 2028

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Ryan Greguske, MD

Medical school: Georgetown University School of Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum care, population health, preventive medicine, health policy, sports medicine.

Personal interests: Anything outdoors! (hiking, fishing, etc.), endurance sports (running/cycling), exploring coffee shops and restaurants, traveling with my wife, grilling and cooking.

Why St. John's: Strong reputation for training well-rounded family physicians. Everyone I met during the interview was so welcoming and genuinely passionate about the program at St. John's. I got the clear sense that it was a program with shared goals but also one that encouraged individual curiosities. All of these elements squared with a desire to be back in a state (being on the east coast made my Minnesota heart grow even fonder) and University that I love (go, Gophers!) made St. John's an ideal fit.

Career goals: Practicing full-spectrum family medicine while also being involved in health policy, community activism, and population health research.

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Tatum Holt, DO

Medical school: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Rural medicine.

Personal interests: Photography.

Why St. John's: Minnesota is my home and training in my home state is such a privilege and honor.

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Tasnia Iqbal, MD, MPH

Medical school: University of Iowa Roy J. Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Medical interests: Outpatient family medicine, mental health, addiction medicine, preventative health, weight management, chronic brain injury medicine, refugee health, public health.

Personal interests: Hiking, travel, singing, attending concerts, reading, fitness, podcasts, spending time with my parents and friends.

Why St. John's: I chose the University of Minnesota St. John's because it was abundantly clear from my interactions with residents and faculty on interview day and through my personal research that this program has what it takes to shape residents into competent, well-rounded family physicians through its robust and comprehensive curriculum. During my interview day, the residents and faculty were so kind, welcoming, and passionate about their work. I also appreciate how much the program prioritizes resident well-being and is committed to training residents on cultural competence, health equity, and addressing the needs of underserved communities. I knew this was a place where I could grow both personally and professionally.

Career goals: I plan to stay in the Midwest and practice full-spectrum outpatient family medicine. While my exact location is still to be determined, I hope to serve diverse communities in this region! I am also exploring additional training in addiction medicine and/or obesity medicine to add to my future clinical skill set.

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Linda Moua, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Broad-spectrum family medicine, preventive health, mental health, refugee health and procedures.

Personal interests: Cooking, traveling, hiking, lounging outdoors, creating memories with friends and family.

Why St. John's: I am confident that the St. John's Family Medicine Residency Program will provide comprehensive training in both inpatient and outpatient care. I value the program’s commitment to tailoring the residency experience to support each resident’s individual career goals. Most importantly, the St. John's mission to advance health equity and deliver community-based care strongly aligns with my own passion for serving underserved and marginalized populations.

Career goals: I hope to practice broad-scope family medicine in an underserved community and plan to incorporate procedures into my practice.

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Jessica Nelson, DO, MBA

Medical school: Kansas City University

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, procedures, and addiction medicine.

Personal interests: Traveling, yoga, golf, baking, being active, spending time with friends and family!

Why St. John's: I chose the St. John’s Family Medicine program because of its strong reputation and the well-rounded training it offers in full-spectrum family medicine. I really appreciated that the program allows residents to shape their experience around their individual interests. During the interview, it was clear how much the faculty, staff, and residents cared about their work and their patients—I felt instantly welcomed and at home! On top of that, the sports medicine curriculum stood out to me, and I knew this program would give me a solid foundation if I continue to plan to pursue a sports medicine fellowship after residency.

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine with a special emphasis on sports medicine! I hope to stay in the Twin Cities area to be close to family and friends!

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Julia Tomtschik, MD

Medical school: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Medical interests: Full-spectrum care, procedures, refugee health, global health, mental/spiritual health.

Personal interests: Weightlifting, language learning, painting, traveling, reading.

Why St. John's: I am excited for the broad range of procedural skills taught at St. John’s and the unopposed nature of the program. I feel like I will be well-trained to practice full-spectrum care while still enjoying the resources of a larger metro. I was also looking to balance the demands of residency with a fun, collaborative work environment, and the residents at St. John’s seemed truly energized and engaged during interviews and socials. I am also a Midwesterner at heart and am so happy to be returning to the region!

Career goals: I hope to practice broad-scope family medicine in an underserved rural or semi-rural setting where I can feel like an essential part of my community. I also hope to incorporate teaching and international work into my career, as I believe learning from students and people from different cultural backgrounds will help me continue to develop as a clinician throughout my life.

Second Year: Class of 2027

Austin Fowler, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Rural medicine, sports medicine, procedures, preventive care.

Personal interests: Golf, fishing, hunting, camping, cheering on Minnesota sports teams, and hiking with my girlfriend and our dog, Lou.

Why St. John's: I met a number of St. John’s residency graduates throughout my medical journey, all of whom were fantastic physicians and spoke highly of their training experience. I then had a rotation at St. John’s as a medical student and was able to spend time with current residents and faculty, learning more about the culture of the program. I felt welcome from my first day on the rotation and decided it would be a great place to work and learn for the next few years.

Career goals: After residency, I hope to move to a smaller town in greater Minnesota and develop an outpatient primary care practice.

Ryan Johnson, MD, MPH

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Hospice and palliative medicine, public health, global health, and medical procedures.

Personal interests: Generally, being outside makes me happy! I love hiking and camping with my wife and our dog, Thor. I play hockey and hurling (an Irish field sport), and I am working to improve my musical skills as a ukulele and mandolin player. I also really enjoy traveling and exploring new places!

Why St. John's: I rotated at St. John's during my fourth year of medical school, and I had a wonderful experience that made me want to return for my residency training. Everybody I worked with was incredibly kind and welcoming—I truly felt like a team member. The residents and faculty went above and beyond as teachers, and I enjoyed the terrific balance of autonomy and supervision that helped promote learning. In addition, my wife and I were excited about staying in St. Paul and being close to our network of family and friends!

Career goals: I am looking forward to practicing family medicine most likely in Minnesota, but I am not sure where quite yet! I am also strongly interested in pursuing a hospice and palliative medicine fellowship after residency to help care for patients with serious illnesses, and I hope to integrate this into my future family medicine practice.

Kathryn Messelt, DO

Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Women’s health, LGBTQ+ health, procedural medicine, community health, and health education.

Personal interests: Hiking, reading, cooking, skiing, playing board games, drinking coffee, collecting plants, and walking my dog Finn.

Why St. John's: I grew up in Minnesota and have always felt a deep connection to the people and the state, so I knew I wanted to return here to complete my residency training. I am also excited to be closer to my family and friends who live in the Twin Cities metro. I was drawn to St. John’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency in particular because I felt that the program was very community-oriented, which closely aligned with my personal values. I also know that there are opportunities at St. John’s to explore my individual medical interests and develop valuable skills that I will use going forward in my career.

Career goals: I hope to someday practice outpatient family medicine in Minnesota and provide an open, welcoming environment for patients of all personal backgrounds. It is also my desire to someday become involved in medical education, community health education, and outreach.

Amanda Petersen, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine with women's health/obstetrics, pediatrics, preventative care, and palliative and hospice care.

Personal interests: Watching Minnesota sports, playing volleyball, exploring new restaurants or breweries, going on walks with my puppy Loki, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Why St. John's: I rotated at St. John's/Phalen Clinic during my fourth year of medical school and loved the environment and the people. All of the residents, faculty, and hospital staff were so welcoming and supportive. I looked forward to coming in every day to learn something new. Additionally, I value how St. John's prepares its residents to practice high-quality full-spectrum family medicine. As a bonus, my partner grew up just down the road from St. John's, so we were thrilled to be able to stay near family and friends.

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine in a suburban or rural area in Minnesota.

Kristofer Setterstrom, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, sports medicine/orthopedics, and rural medicine.

Personal interests: Spending time with family, staying active, playing sports (basketball, golf, and volleyball, among others), outdoor activities in general, and trying new breweries.

Why St. John's: Because it is widely regarded as a program with a strong reputation for producing well-rounded family medicine physicians while maintaining a supportive/respectful environment amongst the residents and faculty. Faculty with a diverse background of specific interests within the medical field, including specialists in sports medicine as that is an area of interest for me. The program is close to home, so I can stay in touch with family and friends.

Career goals: Full-spectrum family medicine +/- sports medicine in a community I can call home for many years.

Kaitlin Thiel (Rinke), MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, preventative medicine, women’s health, obstetrics, pediatric medicine, and sports medicine.

My personal interests include spending time with my husband, family, and friends, cuddling with our pug, Winston, watching sports, traveling, and reading.

Why St. John's: I had the opportunity to rotate at St. John’s as a fourth-year medical student. I really enjoyed the supportive and friendly culture. St. John’s has a strong reputation for training full-spectrum family medicine physicians, which is something I was looking for in a residency program. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this community!

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine in Minnesota!

Third Year: Class of 2026

Ryan Bjerke, MD

Medical school: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Medical interests: Sports medicine, mental health, procedures, geriatrics, and full-spectrum family medicine.

Personal interests: Music production, soccer, weight-lifting, golf, basketball, investing, watching Minnesota sports teams (Skol Vikings), and going to concerts.

Why St. John's: St. John's had the best people of all the places I interviewed and I felt so welcomed! I shared many common professional and personal interests with the faculty and residents. My significant other and I wanted to move to the Twin Cities for a long time and St. John's was the perfect fit for us. I believe St. John's will train me to be the best family physician I can become!

Career goals: I want to pursue a fellowship in Sports Medicine upon graduation and someday eventually own and operate my own private practice sports medicine and full-spectrum family medicine clinic!

Cameron Holmes, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Sports Medicine, Rural Medicine, Nutrition and Exercise Medicine.

Personal interests: Hiking, camping, weight-lifting, lake walks with my wife and goldendoodle Sully, and DJ'ing.

Why St. John's: I chose St. John's because of the incredible experience I had rotating there as a medical student. It was abundantly clear that the faculty, support staff, and residents were truly passionate about their program and their patients and I immediately felt at home. Additionally, St. John's has an exceptional sports medicine curriculum and I knew I would well-equipped to pursue a sports medicine fellowship after residency.

Career goals: I plan to practice a combination of family medicine and sports medicine somewhere in Minnesota (hopefully in a rural community with plenty of lakes). Another passion of mine is coaching, so I would love to be able to blend my passion for sports medicine and exercise with a volunteer coaching position.

Samuel Olson, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: I am interested in partnering with my patients to provide compassionate, full spectrum care. I have specific interests in addiction medicine, sports medicine, prenatal OB care and medical education.

Personal interests: I am passionate about watching sports, especially any Minnesota team. I enjoy staying active by playing basketball and golf whenever possible or getting to the gym. I am a budding cook and just stepped into bread-making as well. I stay connected with friends through playing video games on my custom built PC or going out to a brewery and getting a drink. I enjoy getting outside no matter the season, but my favorite outdoor activity is deep sea fishing in the Caribbean.

Why St. John's: I chose St. John's based on its reputation for preparing FM residents for full spectrum care as well as its strong hospitalist and sports medicine training. In addition, the close knit nature and camaraderie of the residents was a large draw as I could see myself thriving along side them.

Career goals: Beyond outpatient family medicine, I want to explore my many medical interests and possibly pursue hospitalist work, sports medicine, prenatal care, and medical/surgical abortions. I have always loved teaching, so participating in some form of medical education is also something I could see myself pursuing.

Emily Rock, DO

Medical school: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, sports medicine, rural medicine.

Personal interests: I love spending time with my family and friends. I love all things athletics (lately jumped on the pickleball bandwagon)! My husband and I enjoy traveling and exploring new restaurants. I love playing different instruments, especially my ukulele.

Why St. John's: My husband and I wanted to return to the beautiful state of Minnesota to be closer to our family. Throughout the interview process, the faculty and residents at St. John's were all so kind and welcoming. I was drawn to the culture and team dynamics that are present at St. John's as well as the quality of teaching that is provided.

Career goals: My goal is to practice full spectrum family medicine in a suburb or rural community.

Honoree Thor, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Broad-spectrum family medicine, preventative medicine, immigrant/refugee health, healthcare for inner city populations and minorities, urgent care, mental health, adolescent medicine, ultrasound, procedures.

Personal interests: Tennis, running, dance, movies, music, spending time with family and friends.

Why St. John's: When searching for a residency program, there were three main factors that I took into consideration: (1) diverse patient population, (2) a robust and balanced curriculum between inpatient and outpatient, and (3) emphasis on physician wellness/mindfulness. I had the privilege of rotating at St. John's during medical school and from my first week here, it was evident to me that these three characteristics were fundamental to the program in providing excellent patient care and creating a conducive teaching environment. In addition, East Saint Paul is a socially and culturally diverse community; having the privilege to work with and learn from this population excites me. The close comradery between residents, faculty, and even other clinic staff is another aspect that I knew I wanted in my training to get through the
difficult parts of residency. St. John's was a place I felt I could call home while getting world-class training in becoming a well-rounded family physician.

Career goals: As of right now, I am undecided as there are so many opportunities to pursue in family medicine and my interests are scattered. Ultimately, I aspire to be a family physician working with a diverse urban community and providing patient-centered care. Growing up in a marginalized community in Saint Paul and experiencing/witnessing health disparities due to various barriers, I am motivated to bridge the gap between each unique patient from groups like my own and the healthcare system, and further create a welcoming environment where they are satisfied with themselves, their health, and their care.

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Thane Swisse, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Pediatrics, sports medicine, medical procedures.

Personal interests: Sharing time with family and friends in the great outdoors. Walking, running, biking, skiing, fishing, driveway basketball, etc. I also enjoy traveling.

Why St. John's: St. John's seemed like it was one of the residencies that would meet my needs. It was in the metro area, so close to family. It would provide the training necessary to become a physician capable of treating people of all ages and walks of life.

Career goals: I will likely focus on my work in the clinic. I have an interest in pediatrics and procedures. If it's a smaller rural or regional hospital, I could see myself working shifts in the hospital as well.

Graduates

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