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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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)
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
John Birky
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.
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 3 children aged 5, almost 3 and a new baby born in June.
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)
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 two beautiful daughters! Kylan Eileen, who was born June 2, 2007 and Kirstyn Lee who was born December 16, 2008. We also have a great dog, HoneyBear. 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.
Home town: Agra, KS
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
Devin Penny
So, grew up south of LA in Downy, Ca. till 14 then finished growing up through high school in Blue Springs, Mo. I am married to a fellow FM resident Melissa Penny and despite every intention to prevent it... God intervened and we now have two beautiful children. The first was born during our Neuro section at KUMC (formerly UHS) and as crazy as it sounds it was perfect timing (Jade-boy). Our second was born in 07 (Eden-girl) also a surprise. (Yes, we are aware that two doctors should have been able to figure this one out, thank you). We have been shocked by the fellowship we have been surrounded by through every step of life we have taken apart and then together. Our expectation has been low (the path is narrow), however, our experience has been a surprising blessing. The culmination of our walk so far has been the loving relationships we found in this residency, despite its size. In other news: my otherwise "stable" and "normal" family fell apart on my transition from Med school to residency. I would write more as I have a nearly fatal lack of personal space but I have a growing understanding that other people don’t (successful training by my wife). Lets just say Melissa and I watch in pain and with much prayer.
Why Via Christi? My focus in life has been more and more turned to service. I am therefore looking for tools to increase my ability to help. I traveled to California, Texas, Dakotas and Ohio without finding a program that offered more than Via Christi Family Medicine. Also this residency is second only to JPS in its size but surpassed any other program I have visited in its genuine Christ like love for one another. Category after category I could not deny that Via Christi ranked at the top or blatantly surpassed other residency programs in things like procedure numbers, in Medicine teaching, and unexpectedly in the closeness of the residency body as a whole. Wichita, KS, was the only perceived downside and I was out of excuses to convince myself not to rank Via Christi number one... I must admit that I now enjoy Wichita very much. It has everything I could ask for.. except suburbs... but I don't really ask for those :).
Passions: My heart is to figure out how God wants to use me to love (serve) others. I play Guitar, like to sing (too much some would argue), I was a theater minor in college (enough said). I like to read. I have also turned a wonderful high school carrier of making funny home videos into a hobby of making family home videos worth watching. I am always up for sport activity. I also am trying to improve my Spanish.
Favorite Books: Philippians, Mark, 1Timothy Wild at Heart, Irresistible Revolution, Michael Creighton: andromeda strain, Jurassic Park, State of Fear. The Lord of the Rings series. The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. Childhoods End by Arthur C. Clark, Looking Backward by Edward Belemi
Favorite Quotes: "No not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" "If you have material possession and see a brother in need but have no pity on him, how can the love of God be in you. Dear children, let us not love with word or tongue but in action and in truth."
After residency plan: Melissa (wife, in case you missed that part) has a 4 year commitment to the Military during which time we will be wherever God and the Military want us. I will work part time taking care of the children and staying current with my skills. After that time we will go wherever God and Melissa want us caring for our children and serving the “least of these” .
Home town: Blue Springs, MO
Residency stats: These numbers represent the documentation I can prove, I do admit that I did not have a good system in place until midway through my first year of keeping good records and so these do not represent all of my actual hands on experience. As of 3/09: total deliveries - 164; cesarean - 41; forceps - 6; vacuum - 9; vag. repairs - >40; pudendal blocks - 3; O/B ultrasound - 14; EGD - 25; Colonoscopy - 50; Intubations - 46; Circumcisions - 15; colposcopy - 6; spinal block - 22; epidural block - 50; art line - 3; Central line - 4; TAH - 9; D&C - 9; Paracentesis - 5; Thorocentesis - 3.
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
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
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.