Current Residents
Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program
Meet Our Chief Residents
2024-2025 Chief Residents Alexander Aslesen, Patrick McGonagill and Cassiano Crespo Santiago (left to right). Click below to find out why our residents chose the University of Minnesota for their radiology residencies.
Chief Residents
Alexander Aslesen
Where are you from? Edina, MN
What do you do when you're not practicing medicine? Musky fishing, traveling and adventures with my wife and little girl, video games, running.
Why did you choose the U of M for your residency? As a 4th year medical student I rotated at the U of M to get a better understanding of how the residency works and why the residents chose this program. I was immediately impressed with the kindness of the residency cohort and the willingness of attendings to teach both residents and med students alike. The culture at our program is extremely supportive and led by two amazing program directors, Dr. Hoven and Dr. Holm. Having supportive and understanding program directors is extremely important, as they listen to resident feedback and actively mold our program to prepare us for residency and beyond.
Where do you see yourself in the near future? I am hoping to complete an MSK fellowship, with plans to come back to Minnesota after the fellowship is finished.
Cassiano Crespo Santiago
Where are you from? Brazil
What do you do when you're not practicing medicine? Going to the gym, playing guitar, going to concerts, hanging out with friends, traveling.
Why did you choose the U of M for your residency? There are many reasons why the University of Minnesota Diagnostic Radiology program is a great place for training. High volumes with a large breadth of case variety, three amazing sites to rotate (U of M, HCMC, and the Minneapolis VA), research opportunities, procedural experience, amongst other qualities. The main reason I chose the U of M, however, was the people who are a part of this program. I have seldom experienced this degree of collegiality in an academic setting or between different sites. Attendings, residents and administrative staff all get along with each other, and it is a great place for people who care about cooperation and well-being to thrive. I was flattered and honored to be voted as chief resident and am looking forward to helping my peers and staff to the full extent of my abilities.
Where do you see yourself in the near future? After going to NY for my fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, I intend to come back to Minnesota to work in a academic/semi-academic setting with the opportunity to focus both on my clinical practice and on resident and medical student education.
Patrick McGonagill
Where are you from? Houston, TX
What do you do when you're not practicing medicine? Spending time with friends and family, traveling, snowboarding, exercising, hiking, golf, boating, watching sports and trying new restaurants.
Why did you choose the U of M for your residency? The U of M was an easy choice for me. First and foremost, the staff are friendly and incredibly welcoming, which was important to me when evaluating residency programs. It is clear that the atmosphere here at the U of M is one that is collaborative and strives to support the current residents during their time in this program. Additionally, this program offers diverse training sites with a mixture of academic and community medicine with high volume, unique pathology and diverse patient populations.
Where do you see yourself in the near future? I will be completing a fellowship at Stanford University in MSK radiology with plans to come back to Minnesota after the fellowship is finished.
Current Residents
TY, Class of 2029
Phuong Dang, MD
Education: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, picnicking, hiking and camping, rock climbing, weight lifting, board games, and coffee brewing.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? It's the whole package with the University of Minnesota! The people here are fantastic – every interaction I've had, from the leadership team to the residents, has been so welcoming and supportive. Plus, the diverse pathology we see across the different rotation sites is a huge draw. And being in Minnesota, my home, just makes it the perfect fit.
Naima Ismail, DO
Education: Ohio Univeristy - Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Reading, watching a variety of genres of shows including true crime, international dramas and documentaries. I also enjoy sports, particularly basketball and football.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I chose the University of Minnesota for residency because of the institution's commitment to growth and innovation. I also liked the location of the Twin Cities, as it is both a close knit community as well as an up and coming bustling city.
John Kirsch, MD
Education: Creighton University
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, being active (hockey, skiing, golf, working out), piano and video games.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Minnesota is home for both my wife and I, and after spending medical school in a different part of the country, we realized how much we miss the Twin Cities. I also did an away rotation at Minnesota and got to meet the amazing residents and faculty and knew this is where I wanted to train for radiology.
Megan Kollitz, MD
Education: University of Minnesota
Anna Menezes, MD
Education: St. John's Medical College
Hobbies: Playing the violin, dancing, exploring new places and meeting new people.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? As an international graduate, my observership in Minnesota revealed a remarkably supportive environment. From the residents to our amazing program director, everyone’s encouragement inspired me to step out of my comfort zone in India and pursue residency here. The program truly feels like a home away from home, making it the ideal place for my professional and personal growth.
Nathaniel Miller, MD
Education: University of Minnesota
Clay Neuenschiwander, MD
Education: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, going to breweries, board games, video games and D&D
Why did you choose U of M for residency? For many reasons, the U of M was my #1 rank. I have grown very close to many of the residents and staff, the atmosphere has been unfailingly congenial and supportive through many serious milestones in my life, and the training sites are exceptional. Independent call is a crucible by which I know I will become a better radiologist, there is a daily high volume of cases and huge variety of pathology and it’s a Minnesota program where I plan to practice in the future. Minnesota is my and my wife's home state, so it is truly an honor to be able to give back to Minnesotans in my professional life. Go Gophers.
Kianna Nunally, MD
Education: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids (exploring local parks, going on hikes, hanging out on the boat/swimming in the lake), watching NBA basketball and cooking shows, reading, swimming and painting.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? As a medical student here at UMN, I was welcomed into the radiology department with warmth and enthusiasm. I was able to see firsthand the department's commitment to mentorship, high quality education, research and service to our community. The residents I interacted with were very satisfied with the program, and it was encouraging to hear how many of them were able to successfully parent while also being a part of a rigorous training program with a fulfilling career. As a mom myself, I also love that the department here includes so many powerhouse radiologist women and moms (shoutout to Dr. Hoven (PD) and Dr. Holm (APD))! Here at UMN, I know I will get an exceptional education, build long-lasting relationships, and attain the tools/skills to become a successful Minnesota radiologist (and mom)!
RL1, Class of 2028
Lindsey Amundson, MD
Education: Undergrad: University of Wisconsin; Medical School: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: Anything related to food (both hosting and trying new restaurants), video games, acrylic painting, visiting local breweries, and binge-reading anything fiction.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I chose the University of Minnesota for residency after rotating through the department on an elective rotation. I knew I enjoyed the environment of the work rooms and the opportunity for both collaboration and independence. One thing that stuck out to me was the strong presence of many subspecialties with fellowship opportunities. I knew this would be a good place to explore my interests with the infrastructure to pursue fellowship in the future.
Caleb Hoover, MD
Education: Undergrad: University of Minnesota/University of Wisconsin; Grad School: University of Minnesota; Medical School: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with my wife and my dog (Nala) going on walks and hikes. My wife and I love to travel to see natural and culturally beautiful and inspiring places. We especially enjoy the opportunity to visit my wife's family and original home in Romania. I love the Vikings and Timberwolves. I am a big basketball fan- watching and playing as much as possible. I also enjoy reading and learning about history in my spare time.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I was born and raised in Minnesota, and I want to practice medicine in the Twin Cities in service to my community. The people and the natural beauty of Minnesota always keep me and my wife here despite our love for travel and the Minnesota winters. The U of M Radiology program brings you to several of the largest health centers in the Twin Cities and prepares you well for independent practice with a high volume of diverse cases.
David Kahat, MD
Education: Undergrad: St. John’s University; Grad School: University of Minnesota (MBA); Medical School: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: Running, biking, lifting, making music, hanging out with my wife and dog (Goldy), starting and many times not finishing random house projects, and bouncing around great restaurants in Northeast MPLS!
Why did you choose U of M for residency? UMN checked all three of the big boxes I was looking for in a radiology program. The training offers high volume, extremely diverse pathology, and the opportunity to complete independent call at a level 1 trauma center. Being born and raised in MN, my wife and I knew we wanted to complete training near family, friends, and Minnesota is an amazing place to live. Lastly, the culture of the program is amazing; everyone, including residents, faculty, and other support staff, has each other's back!
Thomas Kane, MD
Education: Undergrad: University of Notre Dame; Medical School: University of Minnesota
Connor Nelson, DO
Education: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife, family and friends while exploring the great outdoors, trying new sports, playing intramural softball, wakeboarding, golfing, snowboarding, playing video games, building model ships, traveling abroad and visiting museums.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? It combines a world-class educational environment with the comfort of home. Having grown up in Minnesota, the state holds a special place in my heart, due to the presence of family and friends. The program itself boasts exceptional staff, renowned for their expertise and dedication to teaching, which assured me of unparalleled training and professional development. My deep-rooted love for all things Minnesota, from its supportive communities to its natural beauty, makes this program the perfect place for me to advance my career while staying connected to my roots
Ayca Ozbek Ozutemiz, MD
Education: Medical School: Istanbul Üniversitesi, Cerrahpasa Tip Fakültesi, Turkey Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tip Fakültesi, Turkey
Hobbies: Baking and cooking Turkish/Mediterranean dishes, walking and hiking with my family, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, traveling, planting and gardening.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I have been living in Minnesota for seven years now, and my experience with the community and the healthcare system has been exceptional. After completing multiple observerships, I was drawn to the radiology program offered by the University of Minnesota. The program's emphasis on advanced medical practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered care aligns perfectly with my values and aspirations in the field. I am excited to continue my relationship with the University of Minnesota and to develop my skills further in radiology for a successful career.
Benjamin Simpson, MD
Education: Undergrad: Macalester College; Medical School: University of Minnesota
Hobbies: Soccer, basketball, pickleball... you name the sport and I'll give it a shot. Cycling with the goal of a triathlon on the horizon. Going to concerts with my wife and friends.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Strong background in medical education and great exposure to trauma and rare/uncommon conditions. Being from Minneapolis, the U of M allows me to continue my training with the goal of serving my community.
Jacob Stern, MD
Education: Undergrad: Gustavus Adolphus; Medical School: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Hobbies: Outside of medicine I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, camping, and spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I chose the University of Minnesota for residency because of its excellent reputation, the variety of training sites, and its location in Minneapolis. I am originally from the Twin Cities and love the people. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in.
Logan Thomas, DO
Education: Undergrad: University of Iowa; Medical School: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and friends, trying new restaurants and cooking, playing board games and reading a good book, traveling, hiking, camping, working out, biking, and pickleball.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I had the pleasure of completing an away rotation at the University of Minnesota in radiology and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The faculty and residents were easy to get along with. The program has a great diversity of training opportunities including the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Hennepin County Medical Center, and VA Hospital. Minneapolis has great food, lots of parks, and fantastic bike trails. The state of Minnesota has abundant outdoor opportunities that I am excited to explore.
RL2, Class of 2027
Amon Amini, DO
Hobbies: Traveling, learning new languages, piano, working out, ultimate frisbee, new technology, food, video games, and playing with my big white fluffy dog, Cloud.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Being born at Hennepin Healthcare and spending the majority of my life in Minneapolis gave me the privilege of connecting with a community I am passionate about serving. From my time as an undergraduate student at the U of M to my time as a former surgery resident at Hennepin Healthcare, it was clear to me that the U of M’s radiology program will not only allow me to continue serving the community I deeply care for, but will allow me to train under outstanding radiologists who are passionate educators, leaders, and invaluable mentors. The strong camaraderie I have witnessed in the department, exceptional teaching, abundant research opportunities, and personable interactions with faculty and staff assured me that there is no better place for me to grow as a radiologist than the University of Minnesota. Words can’t express how grateful I am to continue my journey as a physician in Minneapolis and to be a part of such a wonderful and talented team!
Holly Boyum, MD
Education: Wayne State University School of Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Spending time with my partner and our two bulldogs, Seymour & Bernard, working out at my local gym (Skybox! It's the best), biking/rollerblading around the lakes, watching any and all iterations of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I'm from Stillwater and was eager to get home to my family after moving out of state for medical school (bonus points for the built-in transitional year). I felt that the U would offer me a robust educational experience, with multiple hospitals and unique patient populations and pathologies. Leading up to my interview day, and after speaking with the faculty during my interview, I also felt confident that the leadership was earnest in their desire to support residents and promote well being in and out of the hospital. The residents seemed happy, their dynamic felt authentic and I could see myself working with them. Overall, it felt very Minnesotan to me, so it was an easy choice.
Allison Cregg, MD
Education: University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: I was a violinist before medicine, so I play symphony and opera concerts along with various gigs. Love the outdoors - canoeing, backpacking, lake life, and my absolute favorite outdoor activity is skiing. Other than that, I cook yummy food, play with my niece and nephew and try to master new skills - currently tackling landscaping.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? People I vibe with that either trained here or rotated here all said good things about the program. Come rank list, I made one of those spreadsheets to put numbers to what I want in life and what programs had to offer. Priorities I have are: easy flight access, high reputation of PD/APD, skiing/outdoors close-ish, career prospects and local arts/culture scene. Minnesota always came out top.
Ileasa Green, DO
Education: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Cooking for friends, dancing, traveling to new cities, trying new restaurants and generally going on adventures!
Why did you choose U of M for residency? After visiting Minneapolis last year, I knew this city would be a perfect city to lay down roots. Minneapolis is full of beautiful nature, great restaurants, and wonderful people. This program holds great core values, staff are amazing faculty and are supportive. These reasons solidified my choice to come to the University of Minnesota.
Thomas Houghland, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Hiking the trails of Minneapolis with my wife and dog, cross country skiing at Theodore Wirth Park, road biking, going to Utepils brewery and playing guitar!
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I chose the University of Minnesota for my radiology residency because I had an incredible experience with the radiology department as a medical student and I love the city of Minneapolis! Everybody at the University of Minnesota is welcoming, supportive and enthusiastic to teach. I was also drawn to UMN for the diverse experiences that residents get between the University, Hennepin County and VA medical systems.
Mia Lundgren, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Hanging with my rescue pups (Jet and Magnus), dog mushing, knitting sweaters, playing the oboe or piano, catching a concert at Orchestra Hall, being outdoors, spending time with family.
Why did you choose U of M for your residency? I chose the University of Minnesota, because the radiology program offers everything I am looking for - excellent training and teaching, high volume, diverse pathology, a variety of clinical sites and a supportive environment. Probably most importantly, I enjoyed my interactions with residents and faculty as a medical student and could see myself fitting in here. The fact that this program is in Minnesota is icing on the cake. I was born and raised in Minnesota and absolutely love this place.
Jackson Penning, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and kids (often getting ice cream), golf, weight lifting, biking (commuting and recreation), home automation, encryption and cybersecurity.
Why did you choose U of M for your residency? The U of M met my important considerations for training. I was impressed with the culture staff and residents have created for learning and support, and this was confirmed on day one of starting the transitional year. Further, there is a broad pathology and volume base with the combination of University medical center, the VA and Hennepin Healthcare that will prepare me for any practice I choose. Finally, having this opportunity close to family was important as well!
Austin Promersberger, MD
Hobbies: Watching soccer/basketball, video games, reading fantasy books, house plants, trying new restaurants, exploring/going on walks with my wife.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I had the opportunity to do an away rotation at the U of M in Radiology and was impressed by the collegiality between the residents as well as the level of support from faculty/program leadership. I knew the U would provide me with a strong training experience with a wide variety of pathology in a supportive environment where I could thrive. My wife and I have also always wanted to live in the Twin Cities because of all it has to offer! Plus, we are close to family and friends which is very important to us.
Mitchell Szymczak, DO
Education: Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, friends and two cats, board games, trying new restaurants, traveling.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? The people I met during my interview made me immediately want to come to the University of Minnesota for my residency. I knew it would be a place where I would have the support to make it through residency and really feel at home. Being able to do my transitional year in the same city was also a huge benefit for me. I've lived all around the country but had never been to Minnesota, so I was excited for a new adventure and a new place to explore and call home!
Kristen Ward, DO
Education: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM); Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2022-2023, Internship
Hobbies: Going on walks with my husband and golden retriever (Winnie), board games, jigsaw puzzles, reading mystery/thriller novels, naps, finding new restaurants.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I had the opportunity to do an away rotation here as a medical student and instantly fell in love with the Twin Cities and felt like I fit in with the residents. I knew I wanted to complete my residency at a large academic center with a wide variety of pathology and high case volumes, but I also wanted to find a program that emphasized work/life balance - the U easily checked off both of those boxes. I couldn't be happier with my decision to pursue residency training at the University of Minnesota!
RL3, Class of 2026
Paul Blake, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Going on walks and hikes with my wife and dogs, trying new restaurants, running, home improvement projects, cooking and traveling.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Having done medical school at the University of Minnesota, I knew it would provide top-notch training in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Furthermore, Minneapolis is a great city with beautiful lakes, a great food scene and plenty of year-round activities. Overall I knew it would be a great fit.
Nicholas Dick, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Backpacking, snowboarding, disc golf, board games, travel, cooking with my wife, financial planning and investments, National parks, hockey, leadership philosophy, mentoring, music (guitar) and reading.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? UMN is known for its extremely high boards pass rate, well-rounded exposure to all aspects of the field in a large metro area academic center setting and for producing high-caliber radiologists who go on to great fellowships and/or careers. Of course, these were top priorities for me when choosing a residency, but what drew me to this program over all others was how laid back, approachable and friendly the residents and faculty are every time we interact. It is important to me that my residency experience give me freedom from intimidation and a collegial, team-focused atmosphere, and that is what I have come to expect from the program here at UMN.
Nick Dubay, MD
Education: Creighton University School of Medicine; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Racquetball, chess, board games, 3D printing, home-improvement, biking, audiobooks/podcasts and walks with my wife, daughter and dog.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I choose UMN because of its great Midwestern culture of warmth and collegiality and because all the residents seem to love the program. Additionally, with the diversity of training sites and patient populations, I know I will be well-prepared for any career I want to pursue. With the support of a large academic center, I look forward to pursuing the many unique opportunities for collaboration on business, research and teaching. Not to mention, Minneapolis and St. Paul are hidden gems filled with culture, bike trails and craft breweries!
Corinne Duncan, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Spending time with family, hiking and spending time outdoors, board games, baking and traveling.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I chose UMN for residency because of the wonderful people I have met here while rotating through the department as a medical student, as well as the great training program. I also love Minnesota and everything outdoors, so I was excited for the opportunity to stay here.
Lyfong Samuel Lor, MD
Education: Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Freshwater fishing, food, chess, playing basketball, alternating nightly between cheering for the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors during the NBA season and spending time with my wife and son.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Excellent clinical training, laid-back resident family and caring program leadership (perks were also better than other programs). Additionally, the Twin Cities provides endless recreational opportunities (teams in all major sports, outdoor activities and limitless food options). Lastly, St. Paul is home for my wife, and we wanted to be closer to family.
Chris Luedemann, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Spending time with my wife and children, playing with, building projects with, or teaching my children new things. Carpentry, construction projects and tinkering/ fixing cars.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I wanted to go to the University of Minnesota because I believe the radiology program here is second to none. In addition to getting to train at a major referral center, the radiology staff at the U of M personally make great efforts to provide personal teaching, high quality training and guidance for all of their residents. I am thankful for the opportunity to train at the U of M and am so grateful that the staff here take such pride in training their residents. I was born and raised in Minnesota and live in Minnesota with my wife and our four children. I am looking forward to completing my training with the U of M's residency program and continue my training in Minnesota.
Eric Nagarajan, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Kayaking, karaoke, tennis, reality TV and brunch.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? The faculty and residents at UMN are some of the most outstanding, friendly, supportive people you'll meet. UMN also has excellent variety in clinical sites and exposure with impressive outcomes for trainees. The built-in Transitional Year at Hennepin was also a huge plus, with high-quality teaching, two blocks of Radiology during intern year(!), and a year to bond with your cohort even before the advanced residency starts. Finally, Minneapolis is my ideal city- amazing food, culture, unique neighborhoods and events, while still clean, green and very quick to drive across the city.
Aaron Sipola, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Traditional archery, rock climbing, canoeing/kayaking, board games, backpacking, guitar and reading.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Minnesota is home. I grew up here. I intend to practice medicine here. Maybe it’s a hometown bias, but I genuinely think Minnesota is a special place. In Minneapolis, for example, everything is within biking distance. Interconnected bike trail systems and multiple community and regional parks ensure getting outside and enjoying the seasons is no difficult task. Plus, the food scene and craft breweries are fantastic! Academically, the University of Minnesota DR program is filled with faculty dedicated to building a collegial and supportive training environment. The integrated transitional year offers in-coming residents a year to bond prior to starting radiology specific training. Finally, education quality cannot be understated. The UMN Fairview is a world-class referral center that presents residents with diverse pathology. I feel confident that UMN will prepare me for my future radiology career.
Kent Van Note, MD
Education: University of Minnesota Medical School; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN; 2021-2022, Internship
Hobbies: Backpacking, bikepacking, bike repair and maintenance, bike touring, bread baking, camping, cross-country skiing, coffee, drawing, pottery repair, running and woodworking.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I am originally from Minnesota. In my twenties, I had the opportunity to experience both East and West Coast lifestyles. I came back to Minnesota because I love having access to thousands of lakes, the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and four distinct seasons for outdoor activities. I love that the same trail I run on in the summer, I can cross-country ski on in the winter. I believe that the unique topography and climate of Minnesota contribute to the community-orientation and social consciousness of the people who live here. I'm thankful that UMN has such an outstanding radiology program.
RL4, Class of 2025
Alexander Aslesen
Education: A.T Still University - Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Fishing, hockey and exploring/camping with my significant other.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Excellent staff and teaching opportunities. Minneapolis is home, and my family/friends are in the area.
Cassiano Crespo-Santiago
Education: Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), School of Medicine, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2020-ongoing, Internship
Hobbies: My hobbies include, but are not limited to: electric guitar and bass, music concerts, movies, working out, tabletop roleplaying games, computer games, socializing, traveling and craft beers.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Being a great institution and a top-notch residency program aren't exclusivities of the U of M radiology program, but I could not find a better group of peers, staff and faculty to be around. I have tons of respect and admiration for the people here, and I'm very grateful to be part of the team.
Josh Kogan
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, chess, trivia, comedy, podcasts, swimming and yoga.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? The training at UMN combines high-level academic training with a welcoming and supportive environment. All the faculty are friendly and warm and consistently demonstrate how dedicated they are to improving the quality of our experience as trainees. Our training splits much of our clinical time between the University of Minnesota Hospital, a premier academic tertiary care center with a full array of incredibly complex subspecialty cases, and Hennepin County Hospital, a nationally renowned county trauma center with extremely high volumes of high-acuity cases.
Christopher Knoedler
Education: Tulane University School of Medicine; Intern year- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center - General Surgery 16-17, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group 17-20, Marine Corps Security Force Regiment 20-21
Hobbies: Bag piping, alpine skiing, fishing and hunting.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I grew up in the Twin Cities and wanted to move back. I was drawn to the University of Minnesota for a residency with great mentors and a program with a high case volume and a diverse patient population.
Patrick McGonagill
Education: A.T. Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and family, traveling, snowboarding, golf, boating, watching sports and trying new restaurants.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? The U of M was an easy choice for me. First and foremost, the staff are friendly and incredibly welcoming, which was important to me when evaluating residency programs. It is clear that the atmosphere here at the U of M is one that is collaborative and strives to support the current residents during their time in this program. Additionally, this program offers diverse training sites with a mixture of academic and community medicine with high volume, unique pathology and diverse patient populations.
Nikolas Parisis
Danica Seifert
Education: Undergrad Concordia College Moorhead MN; Medical school: Creighton University
Hobbies: Hiking, biking, cooking, reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I am a Minnesota native and knew I wanted to continue my medical training close to home. I also wanted to be part of a program with good camaraderie, diversity in training sites and be located in a fun city to continue to explore.
Nolan Shen
Education: Undergrad: UMN-TC, Biochemistry BS; Medical School: Des Moines University, DO
Hobbies: Guitar, lifting and miscellaneous nerd things.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? Minneapolis is great and I loved the University atmosphere during the time I was here for undergrad. I had done a few medical student rotations at some of the UMN sites, including Fairview and HCMC, and appreciated the collegiality throughout the specialties. I liked the large volume of trauma at HCMC and the complexity of cases at the University, including its transplant and oncological imaging. UMN has specialists in all fields, including physics and computer science, allowing you ample variability for research if wanted. The Minnesota radiology job market is also populated with strong physician-led private practice groups.
Samuel Sutton
Education: Undergrad: University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, MN), Neuroscience Major & Exercise Science Minor, B.S.; Medical School: St. George’s University School of Medicine (Grenada, West Indies), M.D.
Hobbies: Hockey, soccer, golf, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, fishing, boating, hiking, anything outdoors, service work and time with family and friends.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? I was fortunate enough to rotate through the radiology program a couple of times, and the people within the department, from residents to staff, were all so welcoming and enjoyed teaching. It seemed to be a great work and learning atmosphere. The diversity of cases and training sites also made me confident it would help me become the best physician I could be. Minnesota is home for me, and being by family made it even sweeter!
Austin Webs
Education: Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO MBA; Undergraduate: Kansas State University, Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences
Hobbies: Personal finance, running, hiking, collegiate and professional athletics and traveling.
Why did you choose U of M for residency? In addition to the exceptional training and diverse pathology of a large academic medical center, the people are extremely supportive and welcoming. It immediately felt like a program I would feel comfortable training at while preparing me for practice in any setting following graduation.