Celebrating the 2026 Family Medicine Graduates and Award Winners

At the Department’s 57th commencement ceremony, department and program leadership honored an outstanding group of graduates. This year’s graduating class included 64 family medicine residents and two pharmacy residents across seven residency programs, seven hospice and palliative medicine fellows, three sports medicine fellows, three clinical informatics fellows, two primary care behavioral health fellows, and one pre-doctoral medical family therapy intern. View photos and coverage on Instagram. You can see more photos online, too.

Jim Pacala, MD, MS, head of the department, kicked off the night with a few opening remarks highlighting the graduates' dedication to family medicine.

"While acknowledging that this commencement is an important celebratory event, we also recognize that we are living in a divisive time," Dr. Pacala said. "Yet one of the most critical human conditions that binds us together is health and illness. Dedicating one’s life to improving health is universally valued no matter your background, life circumstance or political leaning. It’s inspiring that every one of these graduates has made that decision to do so."

In the course of the evening, several extremely talented faculty and trainees received annual awards in recognition of their accomplishments as well.

Excellence in Scholarship Award: Andrew Lyman-Buttler, MD, MEd

This award is given to recognize a fellow or resident who has excelled in scholarly activities or research during training. Standing out for excellence is Andrew Lyman-Buttler, MD, MEd, who graduated from the Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Lyman-Buttler’s primary formal scholarly project during residency addressed a critical, often overlooked health equity gap in primary care: chronic Hepatitis B infection. For many patients, a systemic failure occurs, particularly for those who are doubly at risk – originating from endemic regions and unfamiliar with navigating the complex U.S. health system. Falling through the cracks between chronic Hepatitis B diagnosis and surveillance is a potentially preventable tragedy.

Seeing a pressing need for a systematic solution based on a case in his practice, Dr. Lyman-Buttler launched his scholarship, which was defined by rigorous methodology, measurable impact, and peer-reviewed validation. He first ensured the clinic team was equipped with tools to practice the highest standard of care. He synthesized complex guidelines from the AASLD, CDC, and UW Primary Care Workgroup into actionable, point-of-care resources. He shared this work through programmatic didactics and by creating a suite of easy-to-use Epic templates with integrated decision-support, ensuring that other providers could adhere to the latest evidence.

For patients, he created handouts, translated into other languages, including Karen, Hmong, and Somali. With the toolkit in place, Dr. Lyman-Buttler led a rigorous, clinic-wide QI project, which was submitted and accepted for Part IV ABFM credit. He emphasized using an EHR Care Gap to prompt providers when patients were overdue for Hepatitis B surveillance. Key to this, his toolkit ensured that the necessary supports were in place for providers to act on the prompt.

In addition to presenting his work at the departmental Grand Rounds, Dr. Lyman-Buttler presented at another of the department’s residency programs to disseminate the resources and benefit more patients. For even greater reach, the report of this methodology and impact is anticipated to be published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Dr. Lyman-Buttler has created a systematic, sharable safeguard to ensure high-quality care. This transforms his personal scholarly routines into a lasting legacy: a scalable, sustainable model that will continue to elevate the evidence-based care for patients long after his graduation.

Faculty Teaching Award: William Knopp, MD

A longstanding faculty member at Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program, Bill Knopp, MD, is widely considered the anchor of the Methodist program’s sports medicine programming and their intern wellness curriculum. He has been highly active in hospital rounding, call and ambulatory care with the residents and modeled the management of his personal patient panel. He is a staple in the medical school for musculoskeletal and sports teaching, he is an anchor of USA Cup education, and he is beloved in the Methodist residency for comprehensive family medicine education as well as for his character.

“He is a patient, kind, compassionate teacher with a love for humanity and discovery,” shared Methodist Program Director Amy Bonifas, MD.

In addition to serving for many years as the program's trusted intern faculty facilitator for their well-being curriculum, he directs Methodist residency’s sports program.

“I have worked with Bill since 2003 and seen firsthand all he has done to support residents and medical students and to help create the community and culture of the Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program,” said Methodist faculty Shannon Neale, MD, MPH. “For Bill, teaching is truly a passion and a gift. He not only does all the things expected of a sports medicine faculty, hours on the sidelines and in the training room with residents and students, but also has regular sports medicine journal clubs and ultrasound sessions before and after work hours. He is dedicated to helping his mentees get into sports medicine fellowships and has a 100% success rate.”

His former trainees had many words of praise and appreciation to share:

“He isn't teaching because he has to; he is teaching because he loves it, and he wants to give back to the next generation of physicians.”

“If I have a question, he does not hesitate to answer it, pull up the journal article about it, or hop on the ground and show me the perfect stretches to help a patient with their pain. He is one of the reasons I was so excited to match at Methodist.”

“Beyond his clinical knowledge – which is vast and always growing – Dr. Knopp has had a profound impact on me as a person. He leads with empathy, generosity, and authenticity, and he has been a steady source of guidance during some of the most difficult moments of my training and life.”

“Dr. Knopp goes above and beyond every day for his students. He supported me as I navigated career choices and the decision to apply for sports medicine fellowship. Throughout this entire time, he checked in with me frequently and supported me through numerous questions and difficult choices. He remains a sounding board for me. He is not only my UMN Teacher of the Year, but is – better yet – the Teacher of Life to me.”

Affiliate Teaching Award: Nancy Nelson, MD

This year’s recipient of the Affiliate Teaching Award is Dr. Nancy Nelson, an outstanding OB/GYN educator who has served as affiliate faculty with the North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program since 2023. During this time, she has become one of the primary laborists working alongside residents in the hospital while also precepting prenatal and gynecologic care in the Broadway Family Medicine Clinic.

North Memorial family medicine residents overwhelmingly selected Dr. Nelson as their nominee for the Affiliate Faculty Teaching Award due to the “tremendous impact she has had on resident education and professional development,” according to those who nominated her. She has been a constant and deeply valued presence within the residency program — a program in which she herself once trained as a resident — and is truly considered part of the core identity of North Memorial/Broadway.

Residents consistently praise Dr. Nelson for her approachable teaching style, patience and dedication to learner growth.

“Dr. Nelson went above and beyond the role of preceptor when we had a stressful shift together,” said Savanna Maynard, MD, PGY2. “She not only took the time to make sure I knew what I was doing but also why we were doing it. She balances a calm, supportive energy with one that pushes us to learn and go out on a limb to become the best doctors we can be while knowing we are supported the whole time.”

On the labor and delivery floor, she intentionally creates opportunities for in-depth teaching throughout the day, taking time to discuss clinical reasoning, answer questions, and provide thoughtful instruction on obstetric and gynecologic topics and procedures.

“Dr. Nelson, when asked on a topic, sits down, spends the time, and goes the extra mile with teaching on any topic,” said recent graduate Kennita Solberg, MD. “She is an incredible person and provided me with the most profound learning experiences during my time in residency. The extra time she set aside to teach me one-on-one with suturing meant a lot to me.”

“She is especially valued for the respectful and compassionate way she teaches sensitive and invasive procedures while remaining attentive to patients’ cultural values and personal preferences,” shared recent graduate Ian Durbin, MD.

Dr. Nelson’s generosity with her time, dedication to teaching, and lasting impact on resident education make her exceptionally deserving of the Affiliate Faculty Teaching Award.

JEDI Award: Michael A. Schroeder-Toya, MD, JD

This year’s recipient of the Department’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award is Michael A. Schroeder-Toya, MD, JD, who graduated from the Woodwinds Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program.

Dr. Schroeder-Toya stands out not only for the depth of her engagement but for the profound, systemic impact of her work. From addressing state-level health disparities to reshaping medical education, she has consistently moved beyond advocacy to create lasting structural change.

Her unique background as a member of the Navajo Nation, a former Deputy Attorney General, and a devoted physician equips her with a rare combination of legal, cultural and clinical acumen. She has built sustainable frameworks that will benefit the Woodwinds residency program, the University of Minnesota, and the communities of Minnesota for years to come.

Perhaps most defining is Dr. Schroeder-Toya’s quiet authenticity. Colleagues say that she does not perform allyship for recognition. Much of her work occurs behind the scenes, and she would be the first to deflect praise. Yet it is precisely this humility that makes her so deserving of this honor.

“She brings a light to our program that is both fierce and gentle, challenging us to be better. It is a privilege to witness her journey,” said her nominee for the award.

By co-chairing the Minnesota Department of Health Infant Safe Sleep Leadership Team, Dr. Schroeder-Toya is directly influencing state-level policy and community practice. Her leadership has shifted the initiative from a generic public health campaign to a culturally grounded partnership.

She has also worked on the CAIMH Advisory Board, transforming the curriculum that trains future Minnesota physicians. Her contributions have led to the integration of Indigenous perspectives into core medical training, moving beyond tokenism to substantive education on Native health needs. Her role ensures that the University of Minnesota remains accountable to the communities it serves. As a mentor to Native medical students, she is actively building a pipeline for the next generation of Indigenous physicians, addressing the critical shortage of Native doctors in Minnesota.

Within residency programs, Dr. Schroeder-Toya is reshaping the culture of accountability and support, with a focus on a just and equitable culture. Her presence on the council ensures that the unique challenges faced by residents from under-represented backgrounds are considered in policy decisions. She has helped design processes that are transparent and fair, reducing fear of retaliation that often silences marginalized learners.

STFM Resident Teacher Award

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Resident Teacher (STFM) Award is presented to a resident from each of the residency programs who best demonstrated interest in and commitment to family medicine education. Congratulations to the following resident graduates!

Duluth: Emily Ruba, MD

Methodist: Ryan D’Mello, MD

North Memorial: Carlos Aispur, DO

St. Cloud: Fariha Qureshi, MD

St. John’s: Samuel Olson, MD

Woodwinds: Andrew Lyman-Buttler, MD

UMN Medical Center: Maryam Farooqui, DO

Let’s keep in touch

Your journey doesn't end at graduation. Stay connected with the UMN Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) – join our LinkedIn group for alumni! – and the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians (MAFP) as you step into practice. Building a strong professional network is vital for your future career plans.

Staying linked to Minnesota’s largest family medicine community gives you the following:

Direct access to career opportunities.
Contract and salary insights.
Mentorship, advocacy, and continuing medical education (CME) resources.

See photos of the event online. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share your news updates with us any time for our annual alumni e-newsletter!