Current Residents

Parker Blekkenk, MD (He/Him/His)

Preferred Name: Parker

Hometown: Missoula, MT

Undergraduate Education: Washington State University

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Plans after Residency: Considering REI fellowship, but subject to change! I also have interests in family planning, LGBTQ+ health, and gender-affirming care that I hope to incorporate in my future practice regardless of setting. 

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would either be a political campaign manager or a beekeeper (which probably have overlapping skillsets). 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Australia, mostly for the animals but also the sightseeing and wine! 

 

Samantha Bryan, DO (She/They)

Preferred Name: Sam

Hometown: Bend, OR

Undergraduate Education: University of Oregon

Medical School: Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Plans after Residency: Either becoming a generalist OBGYN or pursuing MFM fellowship. 

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: Tough question! I would love to run a (hopefully) successful Etsy store with handmade crochet items. 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I would love to go to Italy and Spain! 

 

Andrea Clinch, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Andrea

Hometown: Woodbury, MN

Undergraduate Education: Cornell University

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Plans after Residency: TBD! I'm currently leaning towards being an academic generalist but am excited to explore options during residency. I know I want to work with LGBTQIA+ populations as well as learners in my career.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: During med school I worked at a climbing gym and in another life I would stay in that industry and be a coach and route setter.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I have a long list of places I hope to travel but lately I've really been wanting to go to the UK.

 

Garrett Garbo, MD (He/Him/His)

Preferred Name: Garrett

Hometown: Boston, MA

Undergraduate Education: Smith College

Medical School: Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University

Plans after Residency: I hope to serve my community and provide comprehensive gender-affirming surgical and hormonal care to transgender and gender-diverse patients. I'm considering a fellowship in pediatric/adolescent gynecology, or going into academic medicine to help me achieve this. I'll also continue to do research, and hopefully mentor undergrad and medical students!

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I'd probably be a baker, a potter, or a quilt-maker. I love doing things with my hands (especially when I can see an end result!). 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: There are so many places on my travel list - I'd love to visit Jordan and Morocco, and Japan. I have a degree in Classical Studies and studied archaeology, so give me anywhere with cool history and great museums and I'll be there.

 

Mikaela Herberg, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Mikaela

Hometown: Mandan, ND

Undergraduate Education: Concordia College

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

Plans after Residency: I am currently interested in becoming a generalist, but I am open to the idea of pursuing a fellowship! No matter where life takes me, I would love to be involved in medical education and will continue to be an advocate for reproductive justice and gender-affirming care.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would love to be a park ranger at Grand Teton National Park! I love getting to explore the great outdoors. 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I was able to visit Greece while on tour with my college orchestra, and I would love to go back! I have also always dreamed of visiting Sweden.

 

Norma Jimenez Ramirez, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Norma

Hometown: New Hope, MN/Quito, Ecuador

Undergraduate Education: University of Minnesota

Medical School: Stanford School of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I plan to be a generalist, but I am exploring fellowship options such as FPMRS or REI. 

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would either run an animal shelter, focusing on end-of-life care for elderly dogs, or continue my family's chocolate business - or both!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: The Galapagos Islands! The natural diversity is stunning.

 

Zoey Shultz, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Zoey

Hometown: Prairie du Sac, WI

Undergraduate Education: New York University

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

Plans after Residency: I will either pursue a complex family planning fellowship, or be a generalist who provides abortion care. I would like to take care of patients who are historically excluded and underserved, and be a trusted provider for the LGBTQ+ community. I love education, so I plan to work with medical students in some capacity! 

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be a Spanish teacher! 

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: It is my dream to go to Nepal and go trekking in the Himalayas. 

 

Bektu Solomon, MD, MPH (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Bektu

Hometown: Rochester, MN

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Carleton College (BS) and Master of Public Health from University of Colorado School of Medicine

Medical School: University of Colorado School of Medicine

Plans after Residency: Unclear right now.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: If I was sure I could make an income, I'd absolutely be a photographer.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Istanbul

 

Lisa Wanda, MD, MPH (She/Her/Hers)

Preferred Name: Lisa

Hometown: Enugu, Nigeria

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Duke University (BS) and Master of Science from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Medical School: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I am contemplating becoming a generalist or pursuing gynecologic surgery such as Urogynecology. My overall goal is to empower women through increasing access to healthcare services especially for those on the margins in the US and in my home countries. I also plan to engage in community-based global public health research and health initiatives. 

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be an epidemiologist or a travel food blogger. I pursued an MPH in Epidemiology because I love the ability to visualize patterns and draw conclusions to help improve our well-being. I also love food and traveling. I believe in tasting any food at least three times before concluding I dislike like it; it turns out that there are very few things I don't like eating. If I can't use my Epidemiology degree, I would travel the world eating and meeting people from diverse backgrounds.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I would spend a week in Costa Rica. I visited once and it was one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Sceneries resembled digitally edited photos. I appreciated the country's strong environmental efforts, including forest conservationism. Foods were delicious and people were warm, welcoming, and friendly. I recommend visiting. 

 

Ruthie Baker, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Current Clinic: Regions

Undergraduate Education: Bates College

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Plans after Residency: Who knows! Currently considering pursuing fellowship in family planning or GYN oncology vs. generalist practice.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I think I would try find work somewhere at the intersection of environmental science and public health. I did undergraduate research in limnology and loved getting to spend time in the field and drawing connections between the data and its health implications.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Mustang District, Nepal

 

 

Katie Cooke, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Bellingham, WA

Current Clinic: HCMC

Undergraduate Education: Yale University

Medical School: Yale School of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I'm interested in potentially pursuing fellowship in Gyn Onc.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I'd love to work at an animal sanctuary!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: There are so many places I would love to travel--Prague has been on my list for a long time!

 

 

Arianna Delsman, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Berkeley, CA

Current Clinic: Regions

Undergraduate Education: University of Washington

Medical School: Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I will likely become a generalist, but may pursue a fellowship. Either way, I will continue to advocate for reproductive justice and equity in medicine and medical education.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be an investigative journalist or a water polo coach -- maybe both!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I love mountains, volcanoes, glaciers, and wildlife, so my dream vacation is to explore Patagonia.

 

 

Reid Gamble, DO, MA (He/Him/His)

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Current Clinic: WHS

Undergraduate Education: University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences

Medical School: Kansas City University

Plans after Residency: Possibly FPMRS or MIGS, maybe academic OB/GYN. My ultimate goal is to provide excellent comprehensive surgical and clinical care for transgender and gender-queer patients!

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: Highly unlikely to come true, but I would audition and play for the Minnesota Orchestra. More realistically I would volunteer as a concert hall usher to get free tickets;) I’ve played violin since I was 4 years old.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Eating Kao Neo Mamuang (mango sticky rice) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I spent a semester in Thailand while at the University of Minnesota as an undergrad:) Fun fact my Thai name is pronounced “Pai”.

 

 

Polly Gwan, MD, MPH, MS (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Ruston, Louisiana

Current Clinic: HCMC

Undergraduate Education: Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge

Medical School: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

Plans after Residency: After residency, I plan to pursue a fellowship most likely in MFM. I'm also passionate about health equity and reproductive justice, so I plan to work with nationally-based MCH organizations to develop and spearhead community-led research, initiatives, and policy focused on improving reproductive health outcomes for marginalized women.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be a professional clarinetist and try to play for a major orchestra in the U.S.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I would love to visit Japan, South Korea, or Egypt!

 

 

Devin Hedlund, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Iowa City, IA

Current Clinic: WHS

Undergraduate Education: Luther College

Medical School: University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I haven't decided if I would like to pursue fellowship or a career as a generalist, but I'm interested in staying in academic medicine.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be a fiction author and a musician!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: There are so many places I want to visit, so it's hard to choose. I'd like to go to Australia and New Zealand someday, as well as Japan!

 

 

Meredith Huszagh, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Lake Bluff, IL

Current Clinic: Regions

Undergraduate Education: Vanderbilt University

Medical School: Vanderbilt University

Plans after Residency: I plan to stay in academic medicine and help with medical education! I hope to practice as a generalist or pursue a Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery (MIGS) fellowship after residency.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: I would be an event planner or run a small bakery!

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: There are many places I have yet to visit, but Ireland, Norway, and Australia are on the list!

 

 

Marja McLaughlin, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Kissimmee, FL

Current Clinic: Regions

Undergraduate Education: University of Florida

Medical School: Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Plans after Residency: Currently planning to be a Generalist, but we'll see where life takes me!

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: Maybe I'd be a chef! I love the creativity of cooking, the togetherness that a shared meal facilitates, and of course, the satisfaction of preparing and enjoying great-tasting food.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: Finland, but a week in virtually any country would be enticing to me.

 

 

Sarah Shim, MD (She/Her/Hers)

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

Current Clinic: WHS

Undergraduate Education: University of Michigan- Cellular and Molecular Biology, English

Medical School: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Plans after Residency: I'm still open! I have an interest in REI and Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology fellowships and would like to eventually practice in academic medicine.

If you weren't a physician, what would you do?: If I wasn't a physician I would be either an author or journalist. I love to write and would enjoy either writing a book series or pursuing fashion journalism.

If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?: I've always wanted to travel to Australia!