Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residents

First Year: Class of 2028

Ana DiSpirito, MD

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, women's health, palliative care, LGBTQIA+ care, health equity and advocacy.

Personal interests: Spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants and food, board/video games.

Why Woodwinds? My interview day with Woodwinds was incredibly fun. Everyone I interacted with was so kind, and I could see myself working with them as a resident. I love the diverse community of St. Paul, and Woodwinds caught my eye for their clear passion for health equity and advocacy for their patients.

Career goals: My goal after residency is to practice outpatient family medicine in Minnesota and work with patients from all stages of life.

Woman smiling wearing a purple hijab and black and red blouse.

Khadra Hussein, MD, MPH

Medical interests: My medical interests include women's health, preventative health, community health, and refugee/immigrant health.

Personal interests: I enjoy traveling, baking, trying new recipes, going for walks around the lake, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Why Woodwinds? I chose Woodwinds because of its strong commitment to advocacy and community health. I was also drawn to the opportunity to tailor my residency experience to align with my specific medical interests. Additionally, I was impressed by the warmth and intentionality I encountered during the interview process. Everyone I spoke with took the time to share their experiences at Woodwinds with me and thoughtfully addressed my questions. It quickly became clear that Woodwinds is a place where I would receive not only excellent clinical training, but also the support needed to become a competent family physician.

Career goals: My career goal is to provide full-spectrum care. I'm passionate about working with underserved communities and ensuring that patients receive comprehensive, culturally sensitive care.

Woman smiling wearing a white collard shirt and black blazer.

Bailey Kent, MD

Medical interests: Preventive medicine and community health, geriatrics, and palliative care.

Personal interests: Anything outdoors with family and friends - running, gardening, skiing, pickleball, tennis, lounging outside on a sunny day.

Why Woodwinds? Woodwinds cultivates a positive and supportive learning environment where the people are welcoming and excited about resident learning and growth. I appreciate how residents are encouraged to pursue their personal medical interests in addition to developing a commitment to community outreach and improvement.

Career goals: Practicing in a local Minnesota community where I can build strong, lasting relationships with my patients! I would love to incorporate procedures into my routine clinical practice, and I'm excited to explore available opportunities during residency.

Man smiling wearing round glasses and a suit coat, shirt, and tie.

Garrett Manion, MD

Medical interests: I am interested in preventative and community medicine, psychiatry, sports medicine, ophthalmology, reproductive health, LGBTQ+ and gender affirming care, and procedural treatments.

Personal interests: I have a deep interest in music and have played in bands and orchestras for many years. I also enjoy recording and producing music. My athletic interests include tennis, snowboarding, mountain biking, hockey, and golf. I like learning languages and cooking a variety of foods. I studied abroad in Japan in college and took up kendo and karate afterwards. I also enjoy fantasy books, DnD, board games, and arts and crafts.

Why Woodwinds? I chose Woodwinds for residency for several reasons. The program is set up very well for comprehensive training due to its unopposed status at Woodwinds hospital while having the resources of the University. The clinic in downtown St. Paul serves a very diverse population and enables exploration of many interests including refugee health and health policy. St. Paul and Woodbury are great cities for families and have exciting options for recreation and entertainment. The faculty, especially Dr. Martin, showed more interest in my personal characteristics and potential fit with the program than at any other interview. Their kindness and excitement for learning and service made a large impression on me.

Career goals: I plan to keep refining my career goals as I progress in training. For now, I value training to be a physician who will be effective in many environments in family medicine and can stay adaptable through the ever-changing landscape of medicine, be a lifelong learner, and serve patients to the best of my ability.

Woman smiling wearing round glasses and an orange blouse.

Sindhu Manivannan, MD

Medical interests: I am especially interested in outpatient procedures, women's health, and integrative/lifestyle medicine! I also aim to work with various refugee/immigrant populations.

Personal interests: I really love being outside and exploring the city I live in! In my spare time, I crochet, ice skate, run, read, cook, and dance.

Why Woodwinds? What I loved about Woodwinds was their dedication to serving the community as well as their opportunities to work with various refugee and immigrant populations in Minnesota! Everyone was very welcoming and extremely passionate about their field, and I truly felt like this would be a great place to call home for three years!

Career goals: I currently plan on practicing outpatient family medicine in the future. I would love the chance to explore family medicine OB through residency and determine if this is something that I would like to incorporate into my practice as well!

Man smiling wearing a blue shirt and tie.

Austin Miller, DO

Medical interests: Full spectrum family medicine, sports medicine, lifestyle medicine, nutrition.

Personal interests: Spending time with my wife and family, watching/playing sports, strength training, running, hiking, and any outdoor activities with our dog.

Why Woodwinds? I chose Woodwinds because I was impressed by the sense of community amongst residents and faculty during my interview. I was equally impressed by the strong full spectrum family medicine training the program offers while also allowing residents the opportunity to pursue individual interests in medicine. Additionally, my wife and I were looking to move closer to family, and we are extremely excited to be in the Twin Cities!

Career goals: I hope to either pursue a fellowship in sports medicine or practice full spectrum family medicine in the Midwest.

Noah Wick, MD

Medical interests: LGBTQ+ care, mental healthcare, and preventative care.

Personal interests: In my free time I enjoy distance running, going to the gym, and baking desserts.

Why Woodwinds? I was especially drawn to the program’s emphasis on health equity and how the additional services at the clinic site help address broader barriers to health beyond just access to medical care. Training in both an urban clinic and a suburban hospital was also a great way to expand my experiences in caring for patients in different clinical settings. Faculty here were all incredibly passionate about what they do and eager to discuss clinical interests and ways they could help me meet my career goals.

Career goals: I hope to practice primary care for a broad diversity of patients in the outpatient setting and hope to continue to work with medical students and residents.

Man smiling wearing a pink tie and navy blue suit.

George Tong Yang (Tooj Yaj), DO, MPH

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, underserved medicine, refugee health, behavior medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, sports medicine, and MSK disorders.

Personal interests: Gym, wood burning, baking focaccia, and playing video games like Stardew Valley, Minecraft, Vintage Story, or Fallout 4.

Why Woodwinds? I chose the University of Minnesota Woodwinds Family Medicine Residency Program because I felt genuinely supported by the faculty, program leadership, and residents—both past and present. From my first interactions, it was clear that this was a program where residents thrive, not just in training but as part of a strong, tight-knit community. I wanted a program that offered robust inpatient and outpatient training, and Woodwinds delivers exactly that. The comprehensive inpatient and ICU experience builds a solid foundation in hospital medicine, while the high-volume outpatient clinic at Bethesda ensures a wide range of pathology. On top of that, the emphasis on outpatient procedures, especially primary care dermatology, was a big draw for me since I want to strengthen my skills in managing dermatologic conditions within primary care. Another key factor in my decision was high-risk OB training. Woodwinds provides hands-on experience in labor and delivery management on a high-volume maternity floor, giving me the opportunity to build confidence in obstetric care. The program's integration of behavioral health, refugee health, and underserved medicine further pushed me to choose this program. At the end of the day, I wanted a program that would challenge me, support me, and prepare me to serve my future patients well.

Career goals: My ultimate goal is to complete residency and advance health equity by caring for communities that have been historically underserved, both as part of my National Health Service Corps (NHSC) commitment and because of my deep passion for providing equitable, culturally responsive care. I want to integrate osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) into my practice, ensuring that my patients have access to a holistic approach to healthcare, especially in communities where resources are limited. Beyond my NHSC service, I plan to pursue leadership opportunities in medicine, whether through academic medicine—where I can help train and mentor future physicians—or by pursuing a sports medicine fellowship to further expand my clinical skills. No matter which direction my career takes, my focus will always be on advocating for patients, advancing community-driven care, and strengthening the role of OMM in primary care.

Second Year: Class of 2027

Cassidy Berg, MD, MS

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Women's health, restorative reproductive medicine, perinatal care, pediatrics, full spectrum family medicine

Personal interests: I enjoy reading, walking/biking on trails in our neighborhood, interior design, and musical theater (especially when I can attend in person!). I am also involved in my Catholic parish and cherish spending time with my husband and two daughters.

Why Woodwinds? I chose Woodwinds because of my experience rotating here as a medical student. I felt so at home with the culture among the residents. It was clear to me that as a resident here I would be supported in my personal goals for growth and learning, and that I would also be invited to contribute to the growth and improvement of the residency program at large. I am also very excited about the opportunity to serve both urban and suburban patients with our clinic located in St. Paul and hospital in Woodbury.

Career goals: In addition to providing full spectrum family medicine, my goal is to utilize my certifications in restorative reproductive medicine to serve women and couples struggling with infertility, recurrent miscarriage, endometriosis, and related endocrine dysfunction. I also hope to educate adolescent girls about the menstrual cycle and empower them with understanding about its importance for their holistic wellbeing.

Mackenzie Bernu, MD

Medical school: Creighton University School of Medicine

Medical interests: Full scope care including OB, hospice + palliative care, and practicing community-responsive medicine

Personal interests: I love finding new places to eat, spending time outside with my family and dog, and completing the occasional paint-by-number.

Why Woodwinds? I chose Woodwinds because I felt a connection to both the people and the community. Growing up in Minnesota, I saw the need for quality family physicians first-hand, and after my interview I thought this was the best place to prepare for such a goal while surrounding myself with like-minded individuals.

Career goals: I would like to practice full-scope family medicine within an underserved community.

Mohammed Beshir, MD

Medical school: Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences

Medical interests: My medical interests span a wide range, including health equity, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, sports medicine for injury prevention and treatment, acute illnesses and chronic diseases management, obstetric care, point-of-care ultrasound, preventive health measures, conducting research and advocacy to drive healthcare advancements, and mental health and immigrant health needs with cultural sensitivity and compassion.

Personal interests: In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and watching matches, as well as engaging in friendly ping pong games. I have a passion for watching medical films to further my knowledge and understanding of healthcare. However, nothing compares to the joy of spending quality time with my family and friends, cherishing those meaningful connections outside of work.

Why Woodwinds? I found Woodwinds Family Medicine Residency to be an ideal place where I felt truly welcomed and included throughout the interview process. Having lived in the Twin Cities during the pandemic, I was particularly drawn to the diverse population of Saint Paul. Woodwinds' dedication to caring for this diverse community as a whole is what truly sets them apart. Their commitment to inclusivity and equity is evident, and it's inspiring to see such values upheld, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.

Career goals: My future goal is to practice full-spectrum family medicine while also taking an active role in educating the next generation of physicians. I aim to conduct research focusing on immigrant health, seeking to address the specific healthcare needs of the community. Additionally, I aspire to advocate for underserved populations throughout my career, working towards ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all.

Maryam Hameed, DO

Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Adolescent health, primary care for pediatric patients in general, HTN management, lifestyle and obesity medicine

Personal interests: Baking, gardening, barre, reading mysteries, exploring new restaurants

Why Woodwinds? When looking for a program, I hoped for supportive attendings and co-residents, a diverse patient population, and full-spectrum training. I found all of this and more at Woodwinds. On interview day I felt comfortable because of how welcoming everyone was. I was drawn to the program’s commitment to community outreach and making healthcare more accessible, and I was happy to see that they have legal and social services on site to fulfill that goal.

Career goals: I look forward to practicing outpatient so I can create long-term relationships with patients and maintain a robust pediatric panel.

Anaas Mergoum, MD, PharmD

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

Medical interests: I want to treat a full spectrum of conditions as a family medicine physician. I am also interested in gaining expertise in sports medicine.

Personal interests: I like to draw, play soccer or basketball, and watch classic old movies (generally from the 1940s era).

Why Woodwinds? I love the St. Paul area and I wanted to serve this vibrant and diverse community as a physician, which made Woodwinds the ideal choice. However, during the interview process the staff and residents stood out to me as genuinely decent people who just happened to be smart. I believe I found a residency that will help me achieve my goals and maximize my potential as physician.

Career goals: Become a professor in the University of Minnesota, and be an active researcher throughout my career while simultaneously caring for patients.

Zainab Nathani, MD, MPH

Medical school: SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine

Medical interests: I am specifically interested in preventative medicine, alternative and integrative medicine, maternal-fetal health, end-of-life discussions/care, and child development. I also want to expose myself to as many opportunities as possible in ultrasound, outpatient procedures, and uncomplicated obstetrics.

Personal interests: I love learning and experiencing world languages, spending time in nature, learning about how world history and politics
have shaped the world that we live in, learning more about my faith, and playing badminton. I love spending time with friends and family and getting involved with teaching and mentoring opportunities, especially with K-12th graders.

Why Woodwinds? I wanted to find a residency program that would allow me to pursue full-spectrum family medicine in a suburban setting
with a diverse patient population and in an environment that fully supported my learning. These are all qualities that I found in the Woodwinds program! When I interviewed with Woodwinds, I found that the faculty and residents alike seemed sincere when discussing the program and did not seem to be exaggerating or putting on a facade, but genuinely felt comfortable in and believed in the program, and this led me to solidify my decision.

Career goals: Although I am open to the experiences that residency will bring and how that may change my career goals, I currently see myself practicing full-scope family medicine, mainly in the outpatient setting, with perhaps some involvement in teaching/ academic medicine.

Yenchi Tran, DO

Medical school: New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Pre-natal care, hospice, and sports medicine. I love family medicine and am interested in caring for people at different parts of life.

Personal interests: I enjoy going to the gym, reading, spending time with friends and family, sculpting clay, and do nail art.

Why Woodwinds? Coming back to Minnesota was one of my main priorities; I grew up in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and I always wanted to stay around the east side (of the river) to train and practice within the community I grew up in. My friends and family, who were my support system throughout medical school, will be so much closer to me now. Furthermore, I want to be the most competent and confident physician I can be, and I believe that being trained at an unopposed program in a community hospital with ample learning opportunities will help me be the type of physician I want to be. I also want to work with the refugee population, and Woodwinds will allow me to do just that. Lastly, during my interview, I felt like the faculty I met were down-to-earth, kind, and eager to teach, while the residents were honest and kind as well, which provides a community of people I want to be part of.

Career goals: I wish to work in an outpatient setting around the Twin Cities and working with mostly underserved populations, specifically, refugees and immigrants. Who knows what will happen in residency!

Caden Wippler, DO

Medical school: AT Still University, Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Rural health, sports medicine

Personal interests: Golf, hockey, fishing/hunting, wood-burning

Why Woodwinds? Faculty, staff, and current residents. I had the privilege to rotate here during fourth year and had very rewarding experiences with everyone I interacted with. Everyone I met had the desire to learn and to teach, and I felt very comfortable approaching anyone I had questions for.

Career goals: To work in an outpatient clinic with an eclectic patient population and to work at least part-time in a rural setting. I would like the opportunity to volunteer time outside of a clinic within a community as well, maybe in a non-healthcare setting.

Third Year: Class of 2026

Andrew Lyman-Buttler, MD, MEd

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Addiction medicine, reproductive health, nutrition, sleep, military medicine.

Personal interests: Wilderness backpacking, bike touring, tabletop games, home automation.

Career goals: full spectrum urban primary care and Army Reserve medicine.

Why Woodwinds: I taught high school chemistry and biology before medical school, and one of the most rewarding aspects was working with immigrant and refugee students, so the Woodwinds/Bethesda refugee health program was a big draw. Meeting current residents at recruiting and interview events convinced me that I'd be at home here. Also, I got my undergrad, teaching, and medical degrees from the University of Minnesota and I couldn't pass up the chance to be a 4x Gopher!

Elisabeth Oeverli, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, community health, addiction medicine, LGBTQIA+ care, and gender-affirming care.

Personal interests: Art, traveling, making cheese, hiking and camping, video games, board games, and trying new food/drinks!

Career goals: I hope to practice in an outpatient clinic and help teach medical students and residents.

Why Woodwinds: I honestly chose Woodwinds for my residency because it just felt right! All the people I met during my interview day were incredibly welcoming and down-to-earth. The residents and faculty all seemed so supportive, and it seemed like a great learning environment. Having unopposed training and the opportunity to be involved in medical student education was something I was looking for and found at Woodwinds.

Alexandra Ostfeld, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Addiction medicine, global health, preventative medicine, and primary care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized.

Personal interests: I enjoy biking, traveling, board games, college basketball (Go Badgers!), and trying new restaurants/breweries.

Career goals: I hope to practice family medicine in an urban setting with additional emphases on addiction medicine and global health.

Why Woodwinds: I chose Woodwinds after immediately feeling at home during my interview. During my interview, I felt a strong sense of community and dedication to teaching residents while providing high quality patient care. In addition, Woodwinds is an excellent fit for my career goals and I am excited to continue my training here in the Twin Cities.

Vincent Renta, MD

Medical school: Medical College of Wisconsin

Medical interests: Inpatient and outpatient medicine, obstetrics, sports medicine, rural medicine, addiction medicine, procedures, social determinants of health, health equity, point of care ultrasound, lifestyle medicine, advocacy, research, and care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized.

Personal interests: Anything outdoors such as camping, fishing, hunting, etc., running, motorcycle riding, skateboarding, gardening, playing the guitar, exploring the local food scene, traveling, mixed martial arts, and cooking!

Career goals: I hope to practice full spectrum family med with OB in a rural setting treating patients of all ages and developing many strong, trusting relationships with patients and families over time. I also plan to practice sports medicine with local or college teams, providing care to advanced athletes in collaboration with other medical professionals. I also look forward to working with students and taking on leadership roles within my community.

Why Woodwinds: Woodwinds was an easy choice for me because I was able to feel the strong sense of community despite interviewing virtually and the people gave me the impression that they cared about us not just as potential employees but as people. My interview indicated to me that it is a strong program with great training in a diverse area with diverse patient populations and offers many opportunities to explore whichever avenue of family medicine piques my interest.

Jacob Roskam, DO

Medical school: Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University

Medical interests: Global health, full-spectrum family medicine, procedures, and teaching.

Personal interests: Travel, cooking, board games, music, DJing, and, of course, spending time with friends and family.

Career goals: Help educate both patients and future generations of physicians while providing comprehensive care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized.

Why Woodwinds: I chose Woodwinds because I felt that learning environment, support, and community were the right fit for me. I also wanted an unopposed program that served a diverse patient population. Having spent several years in the Twin Cities area I am excited to come back as I know I have a wonderful support network already in place.

Michael A. Schroeder-Toya, MD, JD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Broad interests that include adolescent medicine; addiction/behavioral health medicine, particularly the management of pediatric ADHD; Native American & Alaska Native health; among many other interests. Strong commitment and desire to provide inclusive and robust healthcare to families and children, particularly individuals with limited resources.

Personal interests: Health care law and policy, mentoring high school and college students interested in health sciences careers, vacationing with my family, and goofing around with my kids.

Career goals: My immediate career goals involve serving a Native American community as an Indian Health Service physician. I hope to remain in Minnesota or return to the Southwest from where I originated. As for long-term goals, anything is possible, but I hope to remain involved in healthcare law and policy that affect families and children who have limited access to resources and require support from their community.

Why Woodwinds: The draw to Woodwinds centered on their healthcare legal partnership, community engagement, diverse patient population, collegial work environment, and faculty and colleagues committed to my professional development and training.

Aaron Schumacher, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Primary care, hospital medicine, LGBT Care, refugee health, addiction medicine.

Personal interests: I enjoy recording music and playing piano. Growing up, I spent many hours going through my parents' and grandparents' music collections through which I found the works of Sinatra, Elton John, Billy Joel and Tower of Power to name a few. I run the Medicine and Machine Learning (MaML) podcast which explores the intersection of medicine and artificial intelligence. I am also drawn to the study of history and philosophy. Wrestling with the ideas of Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and religious thinkers such as Thich Nhat Hanh has given me a sense of peace and a challenge to lead the life that I would be proud of. Lastly, I have a profound love of cooking. I have found that I prefer to explore different cultures through food. Taking the time to scour the Twin Cities for authentic ingredients and learning the techniques to prepare specific dishes provides me a window into other ways of life.

Career goals: I hope to become the type of physician that can meet any patient from any walk of life and approach them with compassion and care. I am passionate about primary care and hospital medicine. I hope to explore different models of care delivery and I am considering spending some time at either the VA or the IHS.

Why Woodwinds: I have developed quite a few connections to the Hmong and other South-East Asian communities in my personal life. The closeness of these communities reminds me of my upbringing in rural Minnesota. Knowing this, I completed my Sub-Internship Rotation at Woodwinds Hospital and found the type of doctors that I want to be. The faculty are all incredibly compassionate and care a lot about their resident physicians.

Kong Vang (Koob Vaj), MD, MPH

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

Medical interests: Community medicine and public health, care for groups that have been historically economically/socially marginalized, academic medicine, pathway programming and mentoring students underrepresented in medicine, refugee health and global medicine.

Personal interests: Coaching Hmong flag football, videography and photography, traveling, spending time with family and friends, indie music and films.

Career goals: My goal is to work in a community setting where I can practice full spectrum family medicine using integrative and innovative techniques to improve health outcomes.

Why Woodwinds: I chose Woodwinds for its diverse patient population and strong sense of community. Having grown up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I was drawn to the Twin Cities for its similar demographics and the opportunity to practice medicine in a place where my Hmong identity would be appreciated. I am confident that Woodwinds will fulfill my desire for a supportive community and provide me with high-quality training.

Graduates

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