Current Residents 2023-2024

Chief Resident

Christian McClairen, M.D.

Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Undergraduate: University of Iowa
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Career Goals: Gastroenterology or Primary Care
Hobbies/Interests: While I have many hobbies, the one I'm most vocal about is music. All pun intended.
Why UT-Nashville: Whether I decide to subspecialize or primary care, I know that I'm receiving training that will enhance my skills and prepare me for the next step. I am originally from Iowa, then I went to medical school here in Nashville and couldn't imagine leaving!


PGY-3 Residents

AcuffJames IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Hospitalist, hopefully working with residents
Hobbies/Interests: Keeping up with my favorite sports teams, trying out local restaurants
Why UT-Nashville: Being a smaller program allows us the opportunity to get to know each of our fellow residents. While there are only a few residency programs at our hospitals, other physicians have become accustomed to working with residents and always seem willing to help and teach and are usually accessible. Not to mention can't beat the free food!

CarterJacob IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc

Hometown: Jonesboro, AK
Undergraduate: Arkansas State University
Medical School: University of Arkansas
Career Goals: Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: Working out, traveling, trying new cuisines and exploring the city
Why UT-Nashville: My favorite thing about our program is my colleagues that make every day enjoyable. The environment and culture create the best opportunity for learning and developing relationships.

KontoghiorghesChristopher IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc

Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
Undergraduate: Emory University
Medical School: Tulane University
Career Goals: Endocrinology
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy exercising, playing video games, catching up with friends and family, playing basketball and soccer, and going down YouTube rabbit holes.
Why UT-Nashville: We’re a small and close-knit program. You will get to know the faculty well and you won’t end up getting lost in the crowd, as you may at some of the larger programs. The 3+1 schedule allows for a good balance between inpatient and outpatient experience, as well as at least one guaranteed weekend off per month. We rotate through two hospitals, St. Thomas Midtown and St. Thomas West, which allows us to get exposure to two different patient populations without having to travel far at all. They are 3 miles apart on the same road. You will also be able to get a glimpse of both academic and private medicine, which can be useful in determining how you will want to shape your future in medicine. Oh, and there's free food in the physicians' lounges at both hospitals!

MaréMichael IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc.jpg

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa
Undergraduate: Harding University
Medical School: University of Arkansas
Career Goals: Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: Backpacking, hiking, photography, traveling, paddle-boarding, rock climbing.
Why UT-Nashville: Our program is a smaller size in a very large city. I appreciate the ability to get more one on one time with faculty and they make achieving your personal goals a major focus. Being in a large city you can see lots of case diversity with plenty of rare pathology.

MikhaelAndrew IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc.jpg

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergraduate: UTK
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Leaning hospitalist, but haven't closed the door on specializing
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, hiking, watching soccer/sports, exercise
Why UT-Nashville: My favorite aspect of our program is the faculty and attendings we get to work with, who are very dedicated to resident education and exemplify patient-centered care and serve as role models for us in training. We get a variety of clinical experiences and didactics that train us to be excellent clinicians. Another strength of our program is wellness, work hours are very reasonable, we get a stipend and meals, and, very importantly, ice-cream and soda/coffee within 30 seconds of the work area. 'Nuff said

PatelShivam IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc.jpg

Hometown: Savannah, GA
Undergraduate: Mercer University
Medical School: Mercer University
Career Goals: Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: Exploring different restaurants and discovering new spots in town. Being outside when the weather’s nice. Binging a new TV show, watching sports, and spending time with friends.
Why UT-Nashville: Everyone is extremely nice and supportive. The great work/life balance the program offers. Access to meals in the doctor's lounge and the extra money we get to spend in the cafeteria. I also love the fact that there's something going on in Nashville nearly every weekend.

ShannonElizabeth IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc.jpg

Hometown: Nashville, TN
Undergrad: University of TN in Knoxville
Med School: University of TN
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: My favorite past time is reading, especially fiction. I can spend hours in a day getting lost in a book. I also enjoy going to the movies. I spend a lot of time at Parks, taking my three year old to different playgrounds. We spend a lot of time outside playing and having adventures.
Why UT-Nashville: This is the most supportive program I have ever known, especially for residents with families. Every attending, faculty member, and resident will gladly help with anything you may need. It is a small program, but that just means that we are all close and even more willing to help out a friend in need. The program is very focused on healthy minds and bodies, and no matter what a person is going through, there is always someone who is willing to lend a hand.

ViswanathanSengo IM 4x5 CMYK 300 lc.jpg

Hometown: Sivagiri, India
Medical School: Coimbatore Medical College
Career Goals: Pulmonary Critical Care, Academia
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling (hoping to explore more national parks soon), hiking, camping, biking
Why UT-Nashville: In our program, every resident is treated like family by the faculty. They personally want every one of us to excel. Work environment is very professional, well organized, which makes residency training a wonderful experience.

Lexi Griffith, M.D.

Hometown: Florence, MS
Undergraduate: University of Southern Mississippi
Medical School: University of Mississippi
Career Goals: Infectious Disease
Hobbies/Interests: Binge watching Netflix shows, searching for the best coffee places, and taking walks in the parks. I live by the Parthenon and getting to look at that in the morning is so amazing. I also love being able to walk 100 feet to visit the park lake and feed the ducks.
Why UT-Nashville: Supportive co-residents and core faculty


PGY-2 Residents

Febronia Dawoud, MD

Hometown: Nashville
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Career Goals: Undecided
Hobbies/Interests: Playing guitar, gardening, swimming, hiking
Why UT-Nashville: I chose this program because I wanted a program that really invested in their students. They have been so supportive of me throughout the transition from medical school to residency. The staff, residents, and faculty really try to help you reach your personal goals. I’m so grateful to be a part of UT Nashville.

Ramsey Ferguson, M.D.

Hometown: Lawrenceburg, TN
Undergraduate: Middle Tennessee State University
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Hospitalist
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family and friends!
Why UT-Nashville: Since my 3rd year of medical school, I knew that I wanted to call this program home! I loved seeing how all the attendings and hospital staff treated the medical students and residents. I loved that it wasn't an institution with so many learners that it felt overcrowded. You really can get a lot of individual attention and have access to practically any experiences that you choose to pursue.

Jordan Gallardo, M.D.

Hometown: Madison, AL
Undergraduate: University of Alabama
Medical School: University of Alabama
Career Goals: I am very interested in hospital-based medicine. I haven't decided yet if I will become a hospitalist or will pursue some sort of fellowship, possibly pulmonary/critical care.
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy reading and programming, as well as arts and crafts; anything that lets me use my imagination and be creative. My favorite genres are paranormal fiction, romance, and fantasy. I am definitely more of a homebody. My definition of a good night is to curl up with a good book or rewatch an episode of my favorite show, House.
Why UT-Nashville: The culture is so positive and uplifting, with a real focus on physician and resident wellness. I feel valued and respected. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming. The residents are not the workhorses of the hospital; we are there to learn to be excellent physicians. The core faculty are invested in our education. Most of them were at UTHSC for residency and have chosen to stay in Nashville and this program for good reason.

Reed Gilbert, M.D.

Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate: University of Kentucky
Medical School: University of Kentucky
Career Goals: Primary Care or Hospital Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Working out, playing/watching sports, fantasy football, shows
Why UT-Nashville: You can really tell that everyone involved in the program cares about you and your wellbeing. I am so glad to be here and honestly do not think I would be nearly as excited for the next three years if I had ended up elsewhere.

Torri Harrell, M.D.

Hometown: Kinder, Louisiana
Undergraduate: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Medical School: Louisiana State University School of Medicine - Shreveport
Career Goals: Hospitalist (Probably- I'm still undecided!)
Hobbies/Interests: I love to run long distances, read almost anything, and of course spend time with my friends and family- including my dog, Murphy. Murphy goes anywhere and everywhere he can with me. He even has his own backpack so he can tag along on bike rides and hikes!
Why UT-Nashville: Everyone I've met at this program has been so genuine, kind, encouraging, and supportive. Every day, I find a new reason I'm thankful I'm in this program! I am also excited about exploring Nashville over the next three years.

Meghan Kramer, M.D.

Hometown: Berlin, NH
Undergraduate: Berea College
Medical School: University of Tennessee
Career Goals: Hospitalist or Intensivist
Hobbies/Interests: I love staying active outside - hiking, running, kayaking. I enjoy weightlifting at the gym, cooking and baking from scratch. I have a cat named Remington (aka Remmy) and two guinea pigs (Katie and Kricket), all three of whom were rescued!
Why UT-Nashville: All the attendings and residents are supportive, kind, and compassionate. Since the program is small, it allows you to develop personal relationships with attendings, consultants, peers, etc. There is a great mix of clinical and educational activity, and it’s really promising that the program is always looking to better itself and expand!

Sophie Lawrence, M.D.

Hometown: Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts
Undergraduate: American University
Medical School: East Virginia Medical School
Career Goals: Hospitalist or pulm/crit but also a happy, balanced life as a physician and mom!
Hobbies/Interests: DIY projects
Why UT-Nashville: My husband is a UT alumnus and diehard Vols fan so recruiting his New Englander wife to team orange is his dream come true.

Himanshi Patel, M.D.

Hometown: Surat, India
Medical School: Surat Municipal Institute of Medicine and Education
Career Goals: Hospital Medicine or Hematology Oncology
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, dancing, hiking, spending time with friends and family.
Why UT-Nashville: Great work environment and great people to work with. Good work life balance.


PGY-1 Residents

Akshay Hajari, M.D.

Hometown: Surat, Gujarat, India
Undergraduate: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
Medical School: Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre
Hobbies/Interests: Playing outdoor sports- Cricket, Volleyball, Lawn tennis; Working Out; Traveling; Hiking; Calligraphy; Sketching

Matthew Hall, M.D.

Hometown: Campbellsville, Kentucky
Undergraduate: Western Kentucky University
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Capturing pictures on myNikon COOLPIX s70. In my spare time I enjoy learning the basics of Adobe photoshop and digital photo editing.

Teddy Hughes, M.D.

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Undergraduate: University of Tennessee
Medical School: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Hobbies/Interests: Avid Hiker, Enjoy designing multi level enclosures for my gerbils and guinea pigs, Collegiate rugby player, Casually competitive ultimate frisbee player, and Bird watching

Yan Lin, M.D.

Hometown: Fujian, China; Murray, KY
Undergraduate: Murray State University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Hobbies/Interests: Reading mystery stories remains one of my biggest passions and fulfills my curious nature, I love cooking Chinese, Indian, and Italian cuisines and trying different foods, I enjoy cycling, Gardening is a new hobby I picked up recently

Mahiar Rabie, M.D.

Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Undergraduate: Virginia Commonwealth University
Medical School: Eastern Virginia Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Running/weightlifting, Stock market investing, and Making pizza at home

Isaiah Rivera, M.D.

Hometown: Jackson, GA; Port Huron, MI
Undergraduate: Georgia State University
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing recreational soccer and ping-pong. I also attend a rock-climbing gym where I like to progress to more difficult climbs over time, I enjoy singing and playing the guitar and piano, and I am a TV Show and Movie Enthusiast

Collin Vassuer, M.D.

Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors with my wife. I love playing disc golf any time I can. In my free time I also play fantasy football, read, and play board games.

Tyler Vaughan, M.D.

Hometown: Ringgold, GA
Undergraduate: Berry College
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Performing Arts/Stage Acting, Piloting (General Aviation), Pickleball, and Cooking

David Bowen, M.D.

Hometown: Yucaipa, CA
Undergraduate: Loma Linda University
Medical School: Meharry Medical College
Hobbies/Interests: I like to spend a lot of my time outdoors. I have skateboarded for over 10 years. One of my favorite sports I like to participate in is soccer and I played competitively through high school. I also like to mix music.

Spencer Oskin, M.D.

Hometown: Hendersonville, TN
Undergraduate: Lipscomb University
Medical School: East Tennessee State University
Hobbies/Interests: My current favorites are snowboarding in the winter and wake surfing in the summer. I have several collections from trading cards to coins and my newest collection is searching for rare bottles of Bourbon for sale to identify subtle profile differences

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