Current Residents
Here is a random sampling of residents from each class. If you want to see more residents from a particular class, click on the appropriate link. The year indicated is the year the resident will finish residency.
2009 Residents | 2010 Residents | 2011 Residents | 2012 Residents | Fellows
Jason Brunton - 2009 Resident
I was born in Wichita, KS but grew up in Blue Springs, MO. I attended Blue Springs High School and still avidly follow the glory of that institution. For my undergraduate degree, I attended The University of Missouri and received a BS in Biology and a minor in Philosophy. I obtained my medical degree from The University of Kansas and spent my clinical years in Wichita. I met Casana, another VC resident in our program, during medical school and we were married last year.
Why Via Christi? During my last two years of medical school, I had the opportunity to see how talented the residents at Via Christi were and how well they interacted with one another. It was also important to Casana and I that we find a program unopposed in Medicine, Pediatrics and OB. In general, Wichita is a wonderful place to learn medicine. Residents are literally on the front line of the healthcare provided and, as such, given a tremendous amount of respect, autonomy and opportunity.
Passions: Number 1-my wife, wouldn’t be me without her. Our 2 dogs, I’d love to have about 12 but my number 1 passion won’t let it happen. Improving and maintaining this residency in any way I can. The University of Missouri and defending the Tigers amid a sea of Jayhawks, Wildcats and an inordinate amount of Sooners. The Royals, the Chiefs, traveling to various baseball stadiums, crossword puzzles (especially Diagramless), traveling abroad, camping, canoeing, fishing, Van Gogh art, charcoal (real) grilling and entomology.
Favorite Books: Arrowsmith, My Own Country, Peterson Field Guide to Insects, The Dark Towers Series, Candide, Don Quixote, The Bourne Trilogy (Only saw the 1st movie, but how can you omit Carlos?), The Stand, Frankenstein and any Top 10 travel book
Favorite Quotes: “We are not here for ourselves alone”- Van Gogh
After residency plan: I hope to join a practice with Casana in a rural community. I enjoy endoscopy, minor procedures, and aggressively managing diabetes. Recently, I have become increasingly interested in Quality Improvement initiatives and hope to incorporate those skills into my future practice as well.
Home town: Blue Springs, MO
For more 2009 Residents click here.
John Birky - 2010 Resident
I am married to a wonderful woman named Lisa and we just recently had a son (Jude) in July 2009. I grew up in rural Kansas about one hour north of Wichita near Goessel, KS, and Lisa grew up in western KS near Colby. College: Grace University (Omaha) & K-State. Med School: University of Kansas School of Medicine. My life has been shaped by many forces, including growing up in rural Kansas, but I am grateful for many others as well, including spending time overseas in a few developing countries, learning more of what it means to be a follower of Jesus while attending K-State, but I think most of all my parents and the key truth they instilled in me at a young age- that following Jesus above all else will bring a satisfaction far greater than I'll find pursuing the temporary things of this world. That has made all the difference.
Why Via Christi? The residents, the faculty, the opportunities... I could go on. You can come away from this residency ready to do clinic, be a hospitalist, do OB with C-Sections, endoscopy, International Medicine, Sports Medicine, you name it- the opportunities are there for you to pursue. Looking back as a third year resident, I see faculty who have become mentors and residents who have become close friends - more priceless than MasterCard.
Passions: Developing a heart like Jesus (it's a long road...), developing great friendships, playing and listening to great music, reading and discussing truth, watching people come alive when they discover the "openly hidden" treasure of God who became a man. My wife and I also love to travel, and living in a developing country may be in our future...
Favorite Books: So many...but currently I am reading The Jesus I Never Knew, Understand My Muslim People, and "Health The Bible and The Church" by Dan Fountain. I especially enjoy novels set in developing countries, and haven't yet found one quite as good as The Kite Runner.
After residency plan: After graduating, I plan to participate in the newly formed International Family Medicine Fellowship. After that, we will likely practice full-scope family medicine in rural Kansas. The physical and spiritual needs in the developing world tug at my heart however, and we're watching for God's leading, waiting to see what he wants to do with our lives.
Home town: Goessel, KS
Residency stats: All approximations... Vaginal deliveries: about 100. C-Sections: recently passed 50 primary. Forceps: 3-4. Vaccuum: 6-7. Colonscopy: 20-30, EGD: 5-6. LEEP: 3. Stress Treadmill: 1 OB ultrasound: 5-6.
For more 2010 Residents click here.
Chinenyenwa Ezedike - 2011 Resident
I am Princess Chinenyenwa from a very small village in Nigeria. I have two brothers and two sisters. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I moved to the states when I was 14 years old and five years later, met my Nigerian Prince. At the age of 15, I had it with high school and at 19, I completed my B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Florida. I went on to complete my MD in University of Florida. My husband (aka. my partner in crime) has a B.A in Electronic engineering from F.A.M.U and a M.S. in Aeronautical Science and Space Operations Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I plan to visit more places on medical missions and in the end, move back to Nigeria when I am finished with my training. I love spending time with family and friends and, Oh, I love African dance.
Why Via Christi? It had everything I looked for in a program and more but I will share a few. 1) Via Christi has a complete well rounded Family Medicine program similar to the training in Nigeria. You've got to get a feel for everything otherwise you are no use. 2) Great Obstetrics training - I don't have to compete with Ob residents for numbers. In fact, I don't have to compete with anyone period. 3) Great Great Great family support 4) My conversations with Dr. Stringfield via email and my visit here. I met all the other faculty members and the people of Wichita. Wonderful people by the way and everyone in the faculty loves to teach. 5) I also found people like me who can practice medicine and embrace the presence of a supreme being. ... do you really want me to go on:)
Passions: African Dance, cooking, talking and praying with my husband, running, weight lifting, drawing, soccer ...
Favorite Books: My Book Of Bible Stories, All of the African Folk tales, Chinua Achebe, Ola Rotimi and some Igbo Nigerian books ...well those are my favorites but I do read other books
Favorite Quotes: "If you make God's work your concern, he will make your needs his concern." If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. The Trumpet of Conscience.----- Martin Luther King, Jr.
After residency plan: I see myself in a rural setting, in various medical missions and ultimately in Nigeria
Home town: Surulere, Nigeria
Residency stats: Vaginal deliveries (5); C-sections (2); EGD (1) STRESS TREADMILL (10) THIS IS IN JUST FOUR WEEKS OF CARDIOLOGY - (as of August 1, 2008)
For more 2011 Residents click here.
Kristin Thornton - 2012 Resident
Bedford High School - Bedford, IA MidAmerica Nazarene University - Olathe, KS Kirskville College of Osteopathic Medicine/A.T. Still University - Kirksville, MO
Why Via Christi? I'm the oldest of four and am the first in my family to go into medicine. My desire to learn medicine stems from my interest in Chemistry in high school (nerd alert! LOL) and my desire to help people. I didn't want to be stuck in a lab all of my life and Medicine has been a great way to use my love of a challenge with my desire to help others. Via Christi Family Medicine was my first choice for residency as it has the best combination to prepare a doc for rural or overseas work. Family Practice is a great choice since we get to see all people of any age and at varying times in their life. From the newborn to the grade school, high school and even young adults in college. As well as the adults who may be carrying their own first child or expecting a new grandchild and may be battling several chronic conditions. I've been truly blessed to be a part of Via Christi Family Medicine Residency!
Passions: International medicine Helping others Volleyball Games: especially cards and Blokus!
Favorite Books: Favorite Authors: Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, Lori Wick, Thoene, Twilight Series
Favorite Quotes: "I can do ALL things through CHRIST who gives me strength." Phil 4:13
Home town: Bedford, IA
Residency stats: Vaginal deliveries: 30 C-Sections: 3 Forceps delivery: 2-3 ICU patients: probably 20 in one month of medicine. I'll have to keep track this month!
For more 2012 Residents click here.
Kevin Raymer - International Fellow
Undergraduate studies: The University of Kansas, Medical School: The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Married: April 19, 2008 to the beautiful Katie Gee.
Why Via Christi? After visiting quite a few residency programs, I strongly felt the Via Christi would best prepare me to practice as a family medicine physician in an abroad setting. The additional training offered in the International Family Medicine Fellowship will also be invaluable when I serve overseas. In addition to the unparalleled training, the character of the staff and residents is second to none.
Passions: To serve others with what I've been blessed. Spending time with my wife and our family; wilbur, rosko (labradors), scrubs, and amaya (felines). Trailriding, water skiing, camping, hunting, "autoharping," reading, gardening, hop growin', lawn mowin', and the like. Re-watching the 2008 Orange Bowl and the 2008 National Basketball Championship games in the "Rock Chalk Man Cave" (my basement).
Favorite Books: Current fav: John Eldredge's "Walking with God"
Favorite Quotes: "It's our opinions that make us stupid." - Oswald Chambers
After residency plan: I will spend my first post-residency year as a fellow in the Intenational Family Medicine Fellowship. I will then find work in Wichita area until Katie is done with surgery residency. I will be looking to fulfill my loan commitment in an underserved community during that time. We will then likely move to Arizona to fulfill Katie's loan commitment in an underserved community. Once we get through all of that, we plan to overseas to serve as full-time missionaries as soon as our loan commitments are fulfilled. {The above is subject to much change as we learn to follow the will of God.}
Home town: Russell, KS
Residency stats: C-Sections: 77, vaginal deliveries: 132, forcep deliveries: about 6-8, vacuum deliveries: quite a few, colonoscopies: 31, EGDs: 20.