2010 Residents
The residents of 2010 will complete their residency in June of 2010. These residents have completed their intern year and will be able to begin moonlighting in the fall of 2008.
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Heidi LaForge
After starting college at the age of 14, I graduated from Wichita State University with degrees in Biology, Chemistry and Geriatric Studies. While at Wichita State, I was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, a student ambassador, and was named as "WSU Woman of the Year in 2002" for my involvement in community service activities and academics. I then attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences where I graduated in the top 15 percent of students. I am currently a second year resident at Via Christi St. Francis and am married to my best friend....Chris LaForge.
Why Via Christi? When looking for a residency program, I knew that I wanted to be close to all of the things in my life that I loved.....My parents, my friends, my husband's dream aviation job, and my Wichita State SHOCKERS!!!
Passions: I am very passionate about spending time with my family, volunteering, and party planning. I enjoy watching movies with my husband, golfing with my parents, and shopping for shoes. I also enjoy painting, basking in the sun (with sunscreen) and eating anything coated in chocolate.
Favorite Books: Does the monthly issue of Cosmo count??
Favorite Quotes: "You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give"---R. W. Emmerson
After residency plan: After completing residency, I would like to practice in the Wichita area. I look forward to the possibility of joining a group in the city that I love and have always called "home." Providing family centered medical care with a focus on geriatrics is what I am truly passionate about.
Home town: Andover, Kansas
JJ Morris
I was raised in Los Angeles, but have been a resident of Alaska since 1992. My wife Kc, was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. I served in the Army, attended Christ for the Nations Bible School, earned a BS in Biology in from Baylor University and his MD degree from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Kc and I have 2 children aged 4 and 2.
Why Via Christi? for the OB experience, the "can-do" attitude and the family friendly atmosphere
Passions: Bicycle commuting to work; authentic Christianity; enjoying my wife and kids; pet medical interests include: sleep medicine, OB, vitamins and herbs, and procedural medicine.
Favorite Books: How Should We Then Live (Schaefer), I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew (Seuss), An Amercian Doctor's Odyssey (Heiser)
After residency plan: practice in rural someplace - likely Alaska
Home town: Anchorage, AK (transplant)
Sam Ratermann
Sam and his wife Shannon arrived in Wichita from Tulsa, Oklahoma with a desire to pursue a career in rural family medicine. Sam's undergraduate training is in mechanical engineering and Shannon is a pediatric physical therapist.
Why Via Christi? OB, procedures, and excellent hands-on training
Passions: Fishing, hunting, golfing, photography, cooking, and anything outdoors.
After residency plan: Eastern Oklahoma
Home town: Bixby, Oklahoma
Drew Miller
My wife and I have been married for 6 years. We have a 2 month old daughter. We are both initially from rural Kansas (Ford and Leoti). Undergrad: Sterling College. Medical School: University of Kansas School of Medicine.
Why Via Christi? Two reasons: 1. The full-scope experience - including an exceptional OB experience and plenty of procedures (especially scopes). 2. The residents - I found a program where I enjoyed who I worked with.
Passions: My #1 priority is serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. My wife and I enjoy spending time together and with our daughter, Emma. I enjoy playing basketball (noon-ball especially) and also enjoy playing the piano.
After residency plan: I plan on practicing full scope family medicine in rural KS (more specific location to be determined...)
Home town: Leoti, KS
Alexis Carmer
Born in California and raised in Oklahoma, I came to Wichita after spending 8 years in Texas at Baylor University and Baylor College of Medicine. In my spare time I watch movies, read (fun) books, water my plants, play board games, hang out with international students, and visit my mom in Oklahoma.
Why Via Christi? Fun people, broad spectrum training, the friendly Midwest atmosphere, and the international emphasis. Also I was really impressed with the Via Christi graduates with whom I had worked during medical school.
Passions: Languages: I'm not fluent in anything else (yet), but I've dabbled in Spanish, German, ancient Greek, and Swahili. Anything creative: photography, construction, etc.
Favorite Books: The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, Redeeming Love, Bruchko
Favorite Quotes: "If you've never done it before, don't do it" - Mom "Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." - Paul
After residency plan: I plan to live somewhere in Africa and train others in medicine and public health.
Home town: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Residency stats: Vaginal deliveries: 115 (forcepts 10, vacuum 5); C-sections: 40; Amniocentesis : 1; Colonoscopies: 15; Arterial Lines: 3; Central lines: 3 (as of July 25, 2008)
Lacie Gregory
I grew up outside of a tiny town in northwest KS and attended Eastern Heights while growing up. Go Mustangs! I then went to Fort Hays State University where I played basketball and majored in Biology. I graduated in May of 2003 and entered Medical School at KU. I married my wonderful husband Nate in December of 2005 and we have a beautiful daughter Kylan Eileen, who was born June 2, 2007. We also have a great dog, HoneyBear, and are expecting another child! Baby #2 is due December 15th! We live in northeast Wichita and my husband is part owner and manager of "The MoJack".
Why Via Christi? I chose Via Christi because I felt I would receive outstanding training that would prepare me to practice medicine in rural Kansas. I wanted hands on learning and I wanted to be managing patients.
Passions: I love sports-especially basketball, volleyball and the occasional racquetball game! I also have a passion for animals and the KS Humane Society is my favorite charity. I enjoy movies, reading, music and of course spending time with my family.
Favorite Books: The Harry Potter series, the Eragon series or whatever catches my eye on the book stand!
Favorite Quotes: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Phillipians 4:13
After residency plan: I am planning on practicing in rural Kansas, but have not decided on a location. I have also contemplated applying for the Sports Medicine Fellowship.
Home town: Agra, KS
Dee Ann Stults
I was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana--home to the world's largest RV dealership and, more importantly, my wonderful and quirky family. My formal education came by way of Wheaton College and IU Med school, but I've also been shaped by listening to the stories of my grandparents; discoursing at the table with my 3 siblings; watching the example of my parents; traveling to Guatemala, Ecuador, and Pakistan; living in community; feeling like a stranger; listening to good music; and finding the life that is truly life.
Passions: The glory of God, brushing my teeth, playing the piano, avoiding elevators, singing harmony (not to be confused with e-harmony), traveling, fiber, writing, super natural cooking, figuring out what to do with my darkroom, eating real-fruit popsicles
Favorite Books: Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Charlotte's Web, The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, An American Childhood, Middlemarch, Les Miserables, Huckleberry Finn, Mansfield Park, The Brothers Karamazov, Compassion, and a bunch of works of poetry
Favorite Quotes: "Nothing that you have not given away will ever be really yours." -CS Lewis
After residency plan: My ultimate hope is to live a life of simplicity and servanthood. At this point I would like to work in Asia doing women's health, treating children, and teaching midwifery. But to be sure, I don't even know what will happen tomorrow.
Melissa Penny
I was born and raised in beautiful Sioux City, IA, and went to school at Drake University where I met my hubby, Devin. We got married, started med school and cranked out a couple of kiddos - Jade and Eden. Now I spend my time enjoying my sweet family and the wonderful Wichita life.
Why Via Christi? I was blown away during my interview by the availability of procedures and didactics, but more so by how awesome the residents were. It helped that two of the other programs I interviewed at told me I should go to Via Christi if I could. That said a lot.
Passions: I love spending time with my family and growing closer to God. I like to garden, play the guitar and am trying to get into tennis...
After residency plan: I owe four years to the Air Force and am really hoping to end up in Omaha during that time. When I can finally choose for myself where I will go, I plan to go wherever Devin says.
Home town: Sioux City, IA