2012-2013 Med-Peds Housestaff PGY-3
Brianna Bender, M.D.
West Virginia University School of Medicine, Charleston Division
Dr. Bender was born and raised in Manitou Beach, Michigan. She moved with her family to San Diego when she was 18, but being so accustomed to snow and rain, had difficulty adjusting to perfect weather. Brianna decided to come back east to Ohio where she attended the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and received her BS in Biology. Not wanting to leave her favorite NPR station behind, she stayed in the east for medical school, attending West Virginia School of Medicine and learned to love the people and history at the heart of Appalachia. She is very excited to move to Memphis and start her residency, and is excited that she matched to a place where folks know what sweet tea is! In her spare time Brianna likes to cook and bake, do any kind of art project, and make green things grow!
Lynn Davis, M.D.
University of Arkansas College of Medicine
Dr. Davis grew up in the small town of Scranton, Arkansas. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a BA in Biology and subsequently attended medical school at UAMS in Little Rock. Lynn enjoys most outdoor activities, especially cycling, kayaking, and attending Razorback football games. She also loves traveling and music, and tries to go to as many live shows as possible.
Natasha Johnson, M.D.
Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health
Dr. Johnson was born and raised in New York, New York. She attended college at Harvard University where she majored in Biology. After graduating from college, she moved back to New York and decided to pursue retail management at Gap, Inc. Ultimately, she decided that being a doctor was what she really wanted to do and attended medical school at THE Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. In her spare time, Natasha enjoys spending time with her dog, Mia, reading, shopping, watching movies, and rooting on her favorite baseball team, the Yankees.
Mike Kleinman, M.D.
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine at Oklahoma City
Dr. Kleinman comes to Memphis after a whirlwind tour, but is thrilled to be back in the Southeast. He grew up in Massachusetts, where he developed his obsession with the Red Sox, the Patriots and the Celtics. He went to college at Emory University in Atlanta where he met his beautiful wife, Wendy. After college, Wendy - a Texan - got a job in Oklahoma City, so Mike followed his college sweetheart to Oklahoma where he attended med school, and developed a new love of college football (Boomer Sooner!). In his free time, you will likely find Mike watching, playing or reading about sports, spending time with his lovely wife and their adorable dog Carly, and exploring the great city of Memphis. Mike and Wendy are so excited to start the next chapter of their lives in Memphis!
Lydia Kuhn, M.D.
Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine
Lydia is a Yankee by birth, Southerner by choice. Though born in beautiful central Pennsylvania she grew up in and around Augusta, Georgia, where, after 20 years, unbelievably, she has yet to see the inside of the Augusta National (a.k.a “The Masters”). Her collegiate days took her to Covenant College in the mountains of Tennessee before she returned home to attend the Medical College of Georgia. In addition to medicine, she enjoys sangria with friends, popcorn and old movies, hikes with a view, traveling around the world at every opportunity, and just enjoying life.
Lauren Murphy, M.D.
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Dr. Lauren Murphy is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She received a BA in University Scholars from Baylor University before receiving her medical degree from University of Kentucky. Lauren has a passion for the Lord and a passion for third world medicine especially in Africa. When in the states, Lauren enjoys volunteering, sports and working with youth groups. She is eager to start her new profession and hopes to bring enthusiasm and compassion to the team.
Gina Raymond, M.D.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Raymond was born in Springfield, Illinois and raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with majors in Biology and English and attended medical school at the University of Tennessee. Gina chose to stay in Memphis for residency training because of the excellent clinical experience and the exposure to extensive and diverse pathology. Upon completion of training, Gina hopes to pursue a career in primary care or academic medicine. In her free time, Gina enjoys listening to music, watching movies, playing outside, and catching up on sleep.
Rachel Richardson, D.O.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Richardson was born in Jackson, Mississippi. She grew up in Mississippi and Louisiana. Rachel attended Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi where she met her sweet husband Clark. They ventured to Kansas City for Rachel to attend an osteopathic medical school, but they really wanted to get back to the South for her residency. They are glad to be close again to friends and family. Rachel enjoys running, cooking, attending church and spending time with her husband and dogs. She hopes to work with the underserved population when she completes her training.
Mark Trisna, D.O.
University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dr. Trisna was born in Webster, Texas, a small suburb city close to Houston. In addition to living in Webster, Texas, he also lived in Birmingham, Alabama, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Port Charlotte, Florida the first seven years of his life. He later returned to Houston until entering medical school. Mark graduated from the University of Houston in 2006 with a BS in Computer Science and a Minor in Mathematics. Afterwards, he attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center-Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine located in Ft. Worth, Texas. Mark is excited to be a part of UT and experience the City of Memphis and all it has to offer. He went on medical mission trips during medical school and would like to continue to go. Hobbies include, traveling, listening/playing music, video games, and going out with friends.
Vashti Watson, M.D.
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Dr. Watson is originally from Cleveland, TN. She graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Psychology. Following college, she spent several years in the workforce and also became a wife and mother all while pursing medical school. She is the proud wife of Trenton, and the mother of three beautiful children Tyler, Micah, and Miranda. She enjoys reading, watching good movies, hanging out with family and friends, and being involved in her church.
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Contact Us
University of Tennessee
Pediatric Residency Program
Box 57, 50 N. Dunlap St.
Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: 901-287-6756
Resident Coordinator
Karen Ariemma
Phone: 901-287-6210
Toll Free: 800-733-6371
Email: kariemma@uthsc.edu
