2026 Family Medicine Graduates Share Advice and Future Plans
In June 2026, the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health hosted its 57th commencement ceremony at McNamara Alumni Center. See the photos on Instagram and in our LinkedIn alumni group! Residency and fellowship graduates alike are headed out to launch or continue their practices. A few graduates shared their plans – along with words of advice for the next class.
Ainslee Crose, MD, graduate of the Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, will be starting outpatient care at the Health Partners Woodbury Clinic. Her advice to people just beginning their career is to remain open minded.
“Keep an open mind regarding career goals and seek out diverse opportunities even if it doesn't seem directly applicable to the setting you think you will end up working in,” she said.
St. John’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency graduate Cameron Holmes, MD, will be starting a primary care sports medicine fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. After that, he plans to begin doing a mix of family medicine/sports medicine with Essentia Health in Brainerd in 2027.
Dr. Holmes shared the following for those just beginning family medicine residency:
“I truly believe family medicine is the most rewarding specialty. Be kind to your co-residents, yourself, and most importantly, to your nurses and staff in the hospital and the clinic. The days may be long, the inbox seemingly never ending, but at the end of your training you'll remember the patients who trusted you, the memories you made, and the moments you realized you were becoming the doctor you always dreamed of.”
Deidra E. Sieck, MD, graduate of St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, plans to practice full-spectrum family medicine in Willmar, Minnesota, at one of our Greater Minnesota sites where primary care is especially needed.
Dr. Sieck paints an exhilarating yet wise picture of residency, saying “Buckle up for the ride of your life. Do not be afraid to ask questions and rely on your other residents and faculty. They are there to help you grow.”
Jordan Treder, MD, who graduated from Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, said that “next year, I will be staying at the University of Minnesota for an additional fellowship year in Primary Care Sports Medicine, where I will care for high school, collegiate and professional athletes in Minnesota! Once in practice, I hope to continue this alongside my family medicine training.”
As for advice, Dr. Treder had this to say:
“My advice to future residents is to not only seek out a well-rounded family medicine education during your residency training but also find your people that you will learn best beside. The positive community and collaboration during my residency has enhanced this experience beyond what I could have hoped for, something I look back on and am so grateful for.”
We also spoke to Michael Hegstrom, MD, a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota-Hennepin HealthCare Clinical Informatics Fellowship Program.
“As for next steps, I don’t have anything officially signed yet, but I’m actually hoping to get a bit of free time to finally finish a long-procrastinated textbook project,” he shared.
His advice is aimed at future fellows in clinical informatics: “Don’t just ask ‘Can we use AI for this?’, but ask ‘Should we?’ I think one of the most important parts of clinical informatics is remembering that technology should support thoughtful, patient-centered care rather than simply adding automation for its own sake.”
One could say that Dr. Hegstrom’s advice applies to disciplines beyond the field of clinical informatics as well.
And last but not least, Fariha Qureshi, MD, graduate of the St. Cloud Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program will continue her CentraCare clinic practice with OB, including providing childbirth healthcare.
Dr. Qureshi said, “Take a moment to remember why you chose this profession. Family medicine is a beautiful specialty! We have the privilege of becoming part of people’s lives. Sometimes you need to remind yourself that it’s not about changing the whole world, but about making a difference one person at a time.”
Superior training across Minnesota
Our graduates are part of a proud legacy. We have 10 family medicine residency programs across Minnesota — five focused on rural health in Greater Minnesota and five in the Twin Cities — and five fellowships.
We love celebrating our alumni: Get in touch!
Congratulations to all graduates, and we hope to hear more about their accomplishments in the coming years. That goes for you too! Staying connected helps family medicine thrive, inspires current students and opens doors for future collaborations. Submit your news any time and join our LinkedIn alumni group.
