Where are our 2020 resident alumni now?
While 2020 has definitely been a year of indelible change and adaptation for everyone, our residents included, some things don't change — like the incredible experience of family medicine residency. That is particularly true for this year's 55 resident graduates, whose resilience has helped propel them into remarkable careers.
What kind of practice have they chosen?
Upon graduation, most of our residents were immediately hired at clinics and hospitals full time, and about seven decided to practice part time. Two graduates, Anne Doering, MD, and Justin Penny, DO, MA, will join their residency programs as faculty.
"I'm really grateful and super excited to be continuing to work with the department and have the opportunity to join the faculty at the North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program," said Dr. Doering. "I'm excited to contribute that recent-resident perspective to our program and continue to grow my clinical and teaching skills, especially the curriculum development and advocacy work that I've been doing."
Six graduates have chosen to pursue additional training with fellowships, such as Nailah Cash-O'Bannon, MD, who will be a fellow at the University of Michigan in their Integrative Medicine Fellowship. Other new fellows include the following graduates:
- Jeremiah Fairbanks, DO - University of Minnesota, Addiction Medicine Fellowship
- Amanda Honsvall Hoefler, MD - UCLA, Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
- Abbie Metzler, DO - University of Minnesota, Sports Medicine Fellowship
- Ebiere Okah, MD - University of North Carolina, Primary Care Research Fellowship
- Benjamin Rosenstein, MD, MS - University of Wisconsin Madison, Geriatrics Fellowship
Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship graduate Allyson Stevenson-King, DO, will be working full time at an M Health Fairview clinic.
"Due to my family medicine background, it was easy to slip into the groove of clinic," Dr. Stevenson-King said. "But I felt much more confident and comfortable in my ability to see palliative patients in the clinic due to the exposure we got during fellowship."
Where will they practice?
Each year, a significant portion of our graduates decide to stay in Minnesota to live and practice. This year, out of those who have decided where to practice, 55 percent will stay in Minnesota, with another 11 graduates deciding to stay in the Midwest.
Minnesota continues to be an optimal choice for family medicine physicians not only because of the state's commitment to generalist practice, but because it's a great place to live. The abundant lakes and trails, vibrant arts and cultural scene, and quality of life help doctors build meaningful lives that offset the risk of burnout or exhaustion.
Wherever our 2020 graduates decide to practice, they carry with them first-rate skills in primary care and an indomitable spirit that rises to unexpected challenges. We look forward to hearing about their future accomplishments.
