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Meet the Intern · 9 residents

Class of 2029

Mikayla Bowen

Mikayla Bowen
Hometown
Austin, TX
Undergraduate
University of Texas at Austin, 2016
Medical School
McGovern Medical School — MD, PhD

Interests

Aspires to be a physician-scientist in gynecologic oncology, leading a research laboratory and providing excellent clinical care with a focus on underserved populations.

Research

Gynecologic oncology — specifically endometrial cancer risk and development, with a particular interest in disparities within endometrial cancer.

Fun Facts

  • Has 2 dogs and 2 cats
  • First job was as a barista
  • If not medicine, would have opened a combination coffee + yarn shop

Hobbies

Knitting, crocheting, sewing, reading, gardening, cooking, NYT games, and skiing!

Dietary: Gluten free

Kelby Hunt

Kelby Hunt
Hometown
Barossa Valley, South Australia / Tacoma, Washington
Undergraduate
University of Puget Sound, 2021
Medical School
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine — MD, MPH

Interests

Academic generalist with a public/community health focus (fellowship not off the table!). Ultimately wants to work with trainees and mentor future generations while integrating public health and advocacy at local, state, and national levels.

Research

Physician infertility/family building and wellness in medicine, gender equity, medical education, exercise and nutrition in pregnancy/postpartum.

Fun Facts

  • Personal best is 150 books read in one year
  • Has been to 5 of 7 continents, hoping to check off a 6th this year
  • If not medicine, would have been an event planner or museum curator

Hobbies

Finding the best coffee shops and farmers markets, running, baking vegan treats, Kindle Unlimited, and training Old English Sheepdog Chief!

Dietary: Vegan

Elana Brotkin

Elana Brotkin
Hometown
Durham, North Carolina
Undergraduate
Brown University, 2016
Medical School
University of North Carolina School of Medicine — MD, MPH

Interests

Generalist or maternal-fetal medicine — partnering with patients, families, and communities to provide values-driven care. Excited to explore the menopause clinic, pelvic pain clinic, and rotations at the VA and in rural areas.

Research

Experiences of reproductive transitions across the lifespan, including menopause among people involved in the carceral system and the ethical inclusion of pregnant individuals in clinical trials.

Fun Facts

  • Born at Duke Regional Hospital!
  • If not medicine, would have opened a cafe/bookstore with fresh bread and a daily soup

Hobbies

Amateur but dedicated "DIY" house project-er! Also runs, cooks, and does yoga.

Dietary: None

Spoorthi Kamepalli

Spoorthi Kamepalli
Hometown
Austin, TX
Undergraduate
Rice University, 2021
Medical School
Baylor College of Medicine — MD

Interests

Academic medicine with a focus on data science-driven health services/policy research — possibly a fellowship, but ultimately working with underserved communities.

Research

Health and public policy, insurance research, clinical modeling from large datasets, and AI. Hopes to keep building data science and statistical modeling skills and gain grant-writing experience.

Fun Facts

  • One college major was Art History — interned at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid
  • If not medicine, would have worked at a policy think tank or taught

Hobbies

Running outdoors, trying new workout classes (F45, Barry's), reading, painting, and exploring new coffee shops and restaurants!

Dietary: No beef

Jada Phillips

Jada Phillips
Hometown
St. Louis, MO
Undergraduate
University of Kentucky, 2021
Medical School
University of Missouri-Columbia — MD

Interests

Gynecologic oncology — but loves every aspect of OB/GYN, so becoming a generalist in academic medicine is a strong possibility too!

Research

Black maternal mortality/morbidity, medical education, and preventive screening.

Fun Facts

  • Has never had a cavity
  • Personal library of over 100 used/traded books
  • If not medicine, would probably have gone into biomedical engineering

Hobbies

A true bookworm — loves a good fantasy series, photography and capturing special moments, traveling, and trying new foods.

Dietary: No beef or pork

Nishita Pondugula

Nishita Pondugula
Hometown
Southlake, Texas
Undergraduate
University of Texas at Austin, 2020
Medical School
Yale School of Medicine — MD, MS

Interests

Academic medicine — MFM, MIGS, or generalist (still deciding!) — while being heavily involved in medical education for both residents and medical students.

Research

Bioethics, reproductive justice, and health justice scholarship — ethics of research in pregnancy, pain during office-based gynecologic procedures, criminalization of pregnancy, and AI ethics.

Fun Facts

  • Has seen Harry Styles live 5 times!
  • If not medicine, would have been a professor of Religious Studies

Hobbies

Tennis and pickleball, collecting vinyl, seeing favorite artists live, trying new restaurants, traveling, recreating TikTok recipes, and hanging with friends!

Dietary: Vegetarian (egg/dairy/cheese okay)

Siera Lunn

Siera Lunn
Hometown
Waxhaw, NC
Undergraduate
Duke University, 2019
Medical School
Duke University School of Medicine — MD

Interests

Generalist, but eager to explore all subspecialties to determine the best career path!

Research

Perinatal mental health, the impact of doulas on postpartum outcomes, prenatal care for patients with a history of preterm birth, and maternal medication administration during pregnancy.

Fun Facts

  • Has a twin who is also pursuing a career in medicine
  • If not medicine, would have been a college advisor for students with limited support

Hobbies

Plant shopping (and picking out cute pots), reading fantasy novels, time with family and friends, brunch, and binge-watching great TV.

Dietary: None

Dionna Thomas (Littleton)

Dionna Thomas (Littleton)
Hometown
Lenexa, Kansas
Undergraduate
Yale University, 2006
Medical School
University of Kansas School of Medicine — MD

Interests

Academic generalist or gynecologic surgery subspecialist — blending a background in economics and medicine to develop financially feasible strategies that increase healthcare access and improve Black maternal health outcomes.

Research

Health literacy, quality improvement, patient education, and reducing health disparities, particularly in underserved communities.

Fun Facts

  • 100% a dog person — never met a dog she didn't like!
  • Likes food based on texture (tomatoes, okra, and seafood don't pass the test)
  • If not medicine, would still be a musical theater performer

Hobbies

Eating good food, live music, home improvement projects, indoor cycling, and dancing. Drawn to Durham's rich history of civil rights, growing diversity, and vibrant food scene.

Dietary: None

Angela Rutkowski

Angela Rutkowski
Hometown
Northwest suburbs of Chicago (Wheeling, IL)
Undergraduate
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), 2019
Medical School
Rush Medical College — MD

Interests

Generalist or gynecologic oncology — hopefully incorporating medical education, research, mentorship, and global health. Aspires to contribute to residency program leadership as a PD or APD, and to publish a book and explore public speaking.

Research

Humanism in medicine, quality improvement, social determinants of health, perinatal mental health, factors influencing fertility, and gynecologic oncology.

Fun Facts

  • First-generation Polish-American (Polish is her native language) and first in her family to pursue medicine
  • Was a background actor on NBC's Chicago Med (role: medical student)!
  • If not medicine, would have been a medical advisor for TV or an interior designer

Hobbies

Weightlifting, homemade latte/cappuccino art, documenting and connecting through her med page, writing, nature, and intentional time with her people!

Dietary: None