St. John's Residents

First Year: Class of 2029

Caitlyn Bangert, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN

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

Personal interests: Golfing, running, reading, exploring new places, and spending time with my fiancé, corgi, family, and friends!

Why St. John's: I was drawn to the community-focused nature of the program and the well-rounded training. I also felt welcomed by the residents and staff during my rotations at St. John’s Hospital and quickly saw myself as a future member of the residency team. As a born and raised Minnesotan, I feel fortunate to stay close to my family and friends, and continue my training at the hospital where I was born!

Career goals: I aspire to practice full-spectrum family medicine in a community clinic in the Twin Cities. Additionally, I hope to be involved with local sporting events and competitions to incorporate my passion for sports medicine!

Ella Fischer, DO, MA

Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas City, MO

Medical interests: I love full-spectrum care, but my current interests are women's health, obstetrics and addiction medicine.

Personal interests: I love to be outside! Hiking, climbing, skiing and camping are some of my favorite outdoor activities.

Why St. John's: On paper it seemed like the right fit for me because of the wide breadth of learning opportunities and full-spectrum curriculum. When I met the faculty and residents on interview day, I could tell it was a very welcoming and encouraging training environment, and I wanted to be a part of it!

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine.

Makayla Maher, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, obstetrics, women's health, LGBTQ+ health, and preventive care.

Personal interests: Sewing, running, water skiing, and spending time outdoors, especially on the lake.

Why St. John's: I chose St. John's Family Medicine Residency for its strong community orientation, comprehensive full-spectrum training, and commitment to serving diverse patient populations. On interview day, I was especially impressed by how kind, genuine, and welcoming the faculty and residents were, and by their clear investment in resident growth and education.

Career goals: I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine with obstetrics in an underserved Minnesota community.

Mae Moris, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin, Central Wisconsin, Wausau, WI, USA

Medical interests: My medical interests within full-spectrum primary care include in-office procedures, gender-affirming care, medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders, and sports medicine.

Personal interests: My biggest personal interests are outdoor activities/sports in all the different Minnesota seasons. I grew up playing just about every sport there is, and I still fill in for my dad now and then when he needs another hockey goalie. My favorites most recently are paddleboarding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Lastly, I love spending time with my family and friends, especially when I get to cook!

Why St. John's: As a Twin Cities and Minnesota native, I was so excited to return to my home state for residency and move closer to family and friends again. The University of Minnesota residency programs had always been at the top of my list, but I knew St. John's was the place for me as soon as I met everyone here. The faculty and staff were amazingly genuine and kind, and the residents were beyond welcoming and so happy to meet us. Additionally, St. John's was also the clear choice for my own academic success: providing comprehensive education, a supportive environment, and extremely hands-on experience across all the specialties in the hospital.

Career goals: I hope to stay in the northeast metro and practice full-spectrum family medicine in an outpatient clinic. My dream is to have a balanced patient panel and maintain a wide skill set!

Maddy Pesch, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN

Medical interests: Family medicine obstetrics, hospital medicine, sexual and reproductive health, substance use, medical education and teaching, and improving access to care/addressing health disparities particularly affecting LGBTQ+ and rural communities.

Personal interests: Spending time outside with my dog, cycling, swimming, following the WNBA, and spending time with friends going to concerts or playing board games.

Why St. John's: I chose St. John's Hospital Family Medicine Residency because of the robust training in hospital medicine, obstetrics, and primary care as well as the collaborative and supportive culture among residents and faculty.

Abigail Psyck, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine with obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, mental health, addiction medicine, gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ health, dermatology, and hospice and palliative medicine.

Personal interests: Embroidery, sewing, hiking, baking, reading, and volleyball.

Why St. John's: There are several reasons why I am excited to join the team at St. John's! One of the most important things that stood out to me was how dedicated the team at St. John's Hospital and Phalen Village Clinic are to serving their local community. I had the amazing opportunity to complete two clinical rotations at St. John's during my fourth year of medical school, where I felt this strong sense of community. Moreover, all of the residents I worked with were readily approachable and passionate about their work as physicians. Faculty and staff were also invested in the individual growth of their residents into becoming confident and competent family medicine physicians. I am also glad to be continuing my medical training in my home state of Minnesota.

Career goals: In the future, I hope to practice full-spectrum family medicine in Minnesota, providing care in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.

Second Year: Class of 2028

Man smiling wearing glasses and a suite and tie.

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.

Third 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-Hayes, 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!

Graduates

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