Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residents

First 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.

Second 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: Univ 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 & 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.

Third Year: Class of 2025

Taylor Atkinson, DO, MBA

Medical school: Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Reproductive health, health equity and advocacy, high-value cost-conscious care, addiction medicine, LQBTIA+ care, and preventative health.

Personal interests: Reading, embroidery, cooking, event and travel planning, KU basketball (rock chalk!), puzzles, and listening to podcasts.

Career goals: To practice full-spectrum family medicine with OB, potentially in an academic setting or with leadership responsibilities, and to provide my patients with the evidence-based knowledge and support to make well-informed decisions regarding their own healthcare.

Why Woodwinds: I was drawn to this program because of its focus on health equity barriers and its resources to address these challenges, including patient advocacy training, a diverse population of patients, and legal and social work services available on-site. As a bonus, I was able to move back home to Minnesota!

Megan He, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Preventive medicine, teaching, mental health, nutrition, geriatrics, hospice/palliative, procedures, and working with underserved and diverse communities.

Personal interests: All things food, mentoring college students at my church, playing piano and singing, swimming, calligraphy and hand lettering, being out in nature, and spending time with friends and family.

Career goals: I plan to be a primary care physician in the community and help teach medical students and residents.

Why Woodwinds: I chose Woodwinds because I spent three months there as a part of UCAM, a longitudinal family medicine clerkship at UMN Medical School. I had heard really positive comments from former students who had rotated through Woodwinds, and after fully immersing myself in the program, I knew my experience lived up to what I'd heard and was the program for me. The diverse and underserved communities we care for, the depth and breadth of faculty experience, the feeling that everyone is like family (from interpreters to residents to administrative staff), and the many opportunities to do community outreach and shape your career to your interests (with plenty of faculty support and responsiveness) are all part of why I love Woodwinds.

Jacob Lentner, DO

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

Medical interests: Family medicine and sports medicine.

Personal interests: Watching and following all sports, playing my six guitars, binging TV shows, and watching movies with my wife.

Career goals: I hope to enter a sports medicine fellowship and become a team doctor for any local Minnesota sports team.

Why Woodwinds: I am originally from Minnesota, so the opportunity to train in my home state was very appealing. Also, during my interview, I got the impression that the faculty truly care about their residents and that I would receive exceptional experience caring for patients, which would adequately prepare me for practicing on my own.

Sarah Sneltjes, MD

Medical school: University of Minnesota Medical School

Medical interests: Preventive medicine, chronic disease management, geriatrics, palliative care, mental health, and behavioral health.

Personal interests: Spending quality time with family and friends, being involved in my local church community, playing tennis and leisure biking with my husband, baking, cooking, and thrift store or garage sale shopping.

Career goals: I hope to practice outpatient family medicine in my local community and develop many strong, trusting relationships with patients and families over time.

Why Woodwinds: Woodwinds is committed to quality, patient-centered care with the resources and experience to serve patients well and train skilled physicians. I chose Woodwinds because this valuable training occurs in the setting of a very supportive and positive learning environment for trainees. I also was drawn to the opportunity to care for diverse patient populations with clinical rotations at both an urban clinic and a suburban hospital.

Victoria St. Martin, DO

Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine, addiction medicine, and women's health.

Personal interests: Traveling, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, playing soccer, spending time with family and friends.

Career goals: I am excited to one day practice full-spectrum family medicine. I am also looking forward to being involved in my community through volunteering, education, and outreach opportunities.

Why Woodwinds: The people were super nice and welcoming during my interview day! l also really liked the longitudinal learning opportunities and how accommodating the program was towards each resident's specific interests.

Nickolas Steer, DO

Medical school: Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Preventative medicine, community health, healthcare policy, sexual and reproductive health, and procedures.

Personal interests: Cooking, traveling, woodworking, attending concerts, spending time with family and friends, and trying new restaurants and craft breweries.

Career goals: I would like to practice in a community-based clinic setting where I can develop strong relationships with patients over time and address their comprehensive healthcare needs. Other goals include offering a wide range of procedures and continuing my work in healthcare policy and advocacy.

Why Woodwinds: I chose Woodwinds for their robust full-spectrum family medicine training. During my interview, I was extremely impressed with the sense of community and camaraderie among residents, faculty, and staff. The program is down-to-earth and genuinely dedicated to improving the community it serves.

Daniel Zaiss, DO

Medical school: Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Medical interests: Full-spectrum family medicine with all age groups, underserved and refugee medicine, behavioral health, sports medicine, procedures, and community outreach.

Personal interests: I enjoy disc golf, back-country camping, hiking, fishing, snowboarding, and video games, and I am an avid motorcyclist.

Career goals: I look forward to practicing full-spectrum family medicine with pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations. I also want to make the pathway to a medical career more accessible for those that are interested, or for those that come from a refugee or immigrant background like myself.

Why Woodwinds: I knew immediately after my interview day that Woodwinds was where I wanted to be. Both the residents and faculty were kind and truly cared about me as an applicant. I knew that the full-spectrum training provided here would allow me to become the best physician I can be. Everyone was very approachable and open about the educational opportunities and personal support this program provides its residents, and it was clear they were all happy to be here.

Graduates

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