Chuks Agusiegbe, Jr., MD, MS
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Jackson, MS
Medical School
Morehouse School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Global Medicine, Administration, Critical Care
Why LSU?
LSU-New Orleans was one of the few programs during the cycle where I felt a genuine connection virtually: the faculty and residents felt like family. I resonated with the program's mission and its proven initiatives to serve the marginalized and underserved patient populations/communities. The program here provides me the chance to train in various clinical facilities and develop a diverse skillset, making me a stronger clinician.
Favorite thing about NOLA
The culture and food scene in New Orleans is amazing! I'm looking forward to see some Saints games and all the festivals.
Hobbies
Cooking but mostly eating, doing anything outdoors - hiking, football, water activities, traveling, working out
Kersti Bellardi, DO, MS
She/Her/Hers
Hometown, State
Corona del Mar, California
Medical School
Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California
Academic Area of Interest
Global Health, Social EM, Advocacy, Harm Reduction, Non-Communicable Diseases
Why LSU?
Fit! Vibe! All the words! I was blown away by the people because they discussed things that I care about, they asked impactful questions, and they seemed happy. I loved the structure of the program, the emphasis put on exploring residents’ interests, and the community engagement. Being a supportive program, at a safety-net hospital, that pushes residents to be ready for anything, it ticked all the boxes.
Favorite thing about NOLA
The live music, culture, and festivals! The city is beautiful and gritty, and it always surprises me.
Hobbies
Traveling, going on adventures with family and friends, swimming, binge watching shows, Harry Potter, drag queens, and enjoying music/festivals.
Lauren Blasen, DO
She/Her/Hers
Hometown, State
East Lansing, MI
Medical School
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Vast! Pediatrics, wilderness medicine, social EM, community outreach, academics, global medicine, critical care
Why LSU?
There are many aspects of any program a prospective resident should look for including academics, location, facilities, and resident/faculty relationship. LSU checked all those boxes for me. However, what really sold me was the community outreach opportunities, palpable passion for medicine, and the focus not only on resident development, but character development as well. These things are very hard to come by!
Favorite thing about NOLA
I am very new to the area so I'm sure this answer will change, but I love the diversity of people and the ability to meet individuals completely different from me and have the opportunity to connect with them. Oh and I heard the music and food are great additions too!!
Hobbies
Traveling!! Anything outside - running, hiking, camping, water sports, snowboarding. All Michigan State sporting events. Ice hockey. Being with my family. Any activity involving my dogs - Rory and Betty White. They're the best.
Usman Chaudhry, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
New Orleans, LA
Medical School
LSUHSC New Orleans
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Global Medicine, Diversity and Inclusion, Sports Medicine, Administration
Why LSU?
I have had the privilege of growing up in New Orleans. The culture and people of New Orleans have moulded me into the person I am today. Humility and selflessness runs through every fiber of this city and is amplified at LSU’s Spirit of Charity EM Program. After just doing a couple shifts at UMC I knew I wanted to stay here and give back to the city of New Orleans.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Pelicans, Saints, Music Festivals, Food, and of course MARDI GRAS
Hobbies
Cooking, Traveling, Basketball, Watching Sports and video games with the boys!
Amber Davidson, MD
She/Her/Hers
Hometown, State
Sacramento, CA
Medical School
Meharry Medical College
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Addiction Medicine
Why LSU?
One of my favorite interviews, faculty were warm and welcoming and focused on the social determinants of health, social disparities, and the health of the community. All of which are values I carry from my home institution.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Haven't gotten the chance to fully experience NOLA yet, but I'm looking forward to learning more about the history, culture, and spirit of the city! Particularly the food and music scene.
Hobbies
Going out to eat at new restaurants
Jonah Gevercer, DO
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Sacramento, CA
Medical School
Rocky Vista University- Colorado
Academic Area of Interest
Pediatrics, Peds EM, Med Ed, Ultrasound
Why LSU?
The faculty, residents, community, and culture was a perfect fit for me, and they clearly put effort into cultivating that experience in this program. LSU reflects the vibrant, caring city its housed in, and after my month doing an away rotation here I couldn't picture myself anywhere else.
Favorite thing about NOLA
The food, music, culture, and people.
Hobbies
Cooking/ eating, traveling, watching basketball, listening to music/ going to concerts.
Alexander Heinz, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
McHenry, IL
Medical School
Tulane University School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Med Ed, Addiction Medicine, Social EM, Wilderness EM
Why LSU?
Over the past 10 years in New Orleans, I've heard countless stories about training at Charity/Spirit of Charity and then I experienced some of these things for myself during my AI here. LSU NOLA emphasizes the connection to the community more than any program I know of, and NOLA is the most fun and interesting city in the country!
Favorite thing about NOLA
NOLA has amazing food, music, and people everywhere you look. I also enjoy the proximity to the coastal marshes where I can partake in some of my favorite hobbies.
Hobbies
Running, cooking/BBQ, kayak fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Alexander Hua, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Fountain Valley, CA
Medical School
Tulane University School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Wilderness EM, Administration
Why LSU?
Strong sense of community and the incredibly supportive faculty and team.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Live jazz music and crawfish!
Hobbies
Triathlons, hiking, camping, photography, and salsa dancing
Keyur Patel, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Jacksonville, NC
Medical School
Brody School of Medicine at ECU
Academic Area of Interest
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Medical Education, Social Medicine, Ultrasound, Pipeline programs
Why LSU?
Diversity within the program and the city stood out when I interviewed at LSU Nola! I wanted to join a community that welcomes and embraces diversity. Strong EM and IM training located in a one-of-a-kind city. Residents and faculty were awesome during the interview day!
Favorite thing about NOLA
I am new to NOLA, but it goes without saying that the food, music, drinks, and culture are all areas that I am excited to explore!
Hobbies
Backpacking, rock climbing, soccer, binge watching shows, and video games.
Daniel Prettel, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Greenville, SC
Medical School
Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Disaster Medicine, Global EM
Why LSU?
Despite the limitations that virtual interviewing brought, I was able to sense a genuine passion for social justice and communtiy outreach at LSU NOLA. It was the program I saw truly walked the talk when it came to awareness of the population they serve. Far beyond serving as my medical training ground for the next four years, I am thrilled to know that LSU NOLA will be my source of inspiration towards becoming a better human.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Limitless options for food WITH amaizng live music in the background
Hobbies
Edm concerts, gym, dancing, netflixin’, video games, hikes… Did I mention gym ?
Tayana Rodriguez, MD
She/Her/Hers
Hometown, State
Palmview, TX
Medical School
Texas Tech HSC El Paso - Paul L Foster School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Health Care Disparities, Medical Education, Street Medicine, Critical Care
Why LSU?
I spent a month here during my away rotation and was blown away! I loved the patient population, the residents, faculty and the city. It felt like a month long party in and out of the hospital! I am also extremely excited for the exceptional DOCTORA this program will help me become!
Favorite thing about NOLA
The PEOPLE, culture, food and music! There's never a dull moment!
Hobbies
Strength training, weight lifting, cooking, eating, dancing, traveling, spending time with family
Scott Sabo, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Seattle, WA
Medical School
Tulane School of Medicine
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Harm Reduction, PEM
Why LSU?
I wanted a program that would teach and challenge me to do more than just see patients by collaborating on interventions for our most vulnerable patients. The faculty, residents, nurses, techs, and all the support staff bring expertise, compassion, and infallible humor to every shift. In short--amazing people doing amazing things in my favorite city in the world.
Favorite thing about NOLA
The music, the way neighbors look out for each other, the heat, sunsets on the levee, and that there is always something fun, ridiculous, or magical going on.
Hobbies
My dog, making bread, eating bread, aerial fitness, camping
Archit Shukla, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
New Orleans, LA
Medical School
LSU School of Medicine New Orleans
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, Advocacy, Disaster Medicine, Crit Care
Why LSU?
Strong connection to local community through the Spirit of Charity. Diverse training sites with a focus on social medicine/outreach. Incredible group and faculty and residents.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Pelicans, Saints, Mardi Gras, tons of restaurants
Hobbies
Basketball, hiking, traveling, eating pasta
Aaron Singer, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
San Diego, CA & Las Vegas, NV
Medical School
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Academic Area of Interest
Critical Care & Social EM
Why LSU?
LSU New Orleans genuinely exudes the “Spirit of Charity,” dedicated to helping its underserved community within and past its hospital walls. In addition, it provides the opportunity to learn from empathetic, supportive faculty across many different clinical settings.
Favorite thing about NOLA
The food, the people, & the festivals
Hobbies
Hiking, breakdancing, cooking, enjoying old fashioneds, playing with my corgi pup, anything active outdoors
Allen Turechek, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Milford, CT and St. Paul, MN
Medical School
Uniformed Services University
Academic Area of Interest
EMS, austere medicine, social EM
Why LSU?
The faculty and residents! I wanted to be part of a program focused on taking care of their community and that mission is the focus here at LSU. Also, the training here will prepare me no matter where I practice in the future.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Although I am new to New Orleans, the food, music and culture are world class and I'm hoping to have a more definitive answer to this next year!
Hobbies
Traveling, homebrewing, gardening, going to concerts
Joshua Wahba, MD
He/him/his
Hometown, State
Newbury Park, CA
Medical School
Tulane
Academic Area of Interest
Social EM, ultrasound, critical care
Why LSU?
Amazing and down to earth faculty. Residents were supportive which makes for a great training environment. Big focus on social EM and commitment to the community.
Favorite thing about NOLA
Crawfish, Saints games, friendly people everywhere you go.
Hobbies
Rock climbing, traveling, cooking