Chattanooga Pediatrics Residents

Faith Blackmon, DO
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hey! I’m from Cookeville, TN. I attended UTK for undergrad (go vols!) and LMU-DCOM for medical school. I’m excited to be in Chattanooga and apart of this program. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family/significant other, hiking, kayaking, and pretty much anything outdoors that I can bring my dog to.

Jessica Byas, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine

Austin Clark, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in a small town on the coast of Mississippi.  I attended Samford university for undergrad where I met my wife and the University of Mississippi School of medicine for medical school. This city such a great place to raise a family as my wife and I have experience with our two sons and this program fosters not only my professional skills, but also is very receptive to my family. During my spare time, I love hiking with my family, going to Atlanta Braves games, and spending time at our church.

Brooke Daughrity, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: University of Kentucky School of Medicine

Hi! I was born and raised in Paducah, KY. I attended Union University where I studied cell and molecular biology and met my husband, Jordan.  We moved back to Jordan’s hometown Dickson, TN for a few years where I worked in research at Vanderbilt, before starting medical school at the Bowling Green campus of University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Because of the small size of my med school class, we loved the relationships we were able to form with my classmates and their families. This was something that really drew us to the UT Chattanooga program- it seemed like the residents genuinely liked being together and supporting each other. Plus, Chattanooga is BEAUTIFUL.  On days off, I like to go for Jeep rides, explore all the hiking Chatt has to offer, spend time with our rescue dog Ike, and try new recipes.

Kerigan Green, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: University of Louisiana School of Medicine Shreveport

Kruthika Gurukkal, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: University of Alabama School of Medicine

Camara Prichard, DO
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi! I grew up in Soddy Daisy, TN. I attended UTC for undergrad and LMU-DCOM for medical school. I am so glad to be back in my home town for residency and have the opportunity to serve in the community that raised me! Chattanooga has everything I want in a city: beautiful mountain views, rivers, and a nice downtown area. During my spare time, I enjoy reading fantasy fiction, drawing, and hanging out with family and friends!

Rachael Underwood, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: St. George's University School of Medicine

Hello! I was born and raised in California. I attended Dominican University of CA for undergrad and St. George's University for medical school. My husband and I have always talked about wanting to raise our kids in Tennessee, so I was absolutely ecstatic to match here in Chattanooga! The program here is fantastic and has so much to offer. In my spare time I love baking with my two daughters and spending time with my family exploring all there is to do in Chattanooga!

Katie Ward, MD
PL-1 Resident
Medical School: University of Kentucky School of Medicine

Hi everyone! I am originally from Pikeville, KY, a small town in Eastern Kentucky. I went to Morehead State University for my undergraduate studies and went to medical school at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine- Rural Physician Leadership Program in Morehead, KY. Some of my family had moved to Chattanooga a few years prior to my starting residency, and my husband and I immediately fell in love with the area when we visited. We are so happy to be a part of this wonderful community. Outside of residency, I love to read a good romance, watch Marvel movies with my husband, and the beach is my favorite place in the world. I look forward to spending the next three years serving this community.

Abdelrahman Amro, MD
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Meharry Medical College

Hey! I am a Palestinian American who was born in Amman, Jordan. I moved to Memphis, Tennessee with my family early on, and have called it home ever since. I stayed in Memphis to finish my undergraduate degree at Rhodes College, and completed medical school in Nashville at Meharry Medical College. I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee, learning recipes, and traveling whenever the opportunity presents itself. I chose Chattanooga because it kept me close to my roots, while also providing me the opportunity to learn from the kind and supportive staff, residents, and attendings!

Victoria Cox, DO
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in East Tennessee. I'm from a small town outside of Knoxville. I attended ETSU for undergrad and LMU-DCOM  for medical school. Chattanooga is exactly where I wanted to be for residency. The town is truly beautiful and the people in the program are beyond kind and supportive. During my spare time, I enjoy walking my dog, Neyland, golfing with my significant other, and watching movies. 

Lauren Edmond, DO
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Des Moines University College of Medicine

Kaitlyn Ellington, MD
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Mercer University School of Medicine

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in Winder, GA, right outside of Athens (Go Dawgs!). I attended Mercer University in Macon, GA for my undergraduate degree and continued at Mercer in Savannah for my MD. Though new to the area, I have loved exploring the city of Chattanooga and all it has to offer. The family feel combined with support of an academic institution made this program a perfect fit for me. In my free time, I enjoy reading (Chattanooga has a well-stocked library), going to trivia with my co-residents, and finding new recipes for my pressure cooker/ air fryer. I am so excited for the next three years in Chattanooga!

Matthew Holland, DO
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jennifer Justice, DO
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Hi everyone! I grew up in Savannah, TN, a small town in the West Tennessee area. I attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for undergrad where I met my husband, Brandon. We moved to Auburn, AL for medical school where I attended VCOM-Auburn and now we are so excited to be back in Chattanooga for residency! There are so many fun things to do in this area and this program has some of the most supportive people imaginable. We have two dogs named Ellie and Lily. Some of my favorite things to do in my free time include traveling to new places, gardening, and watching Tennessee football.

Jennifer Lee, MD
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Jae Maeng, MD
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: East Tennessee State University 

Hi! I grew up in Nashville, TN, I went to undergrad at Vanderbilt where I met my wife, Julianna. I attended medical school at Quillen ETSU in Johnson City, TN, where we had our first son. We are excited to welcome our second son later this year. Being a parent helped me to choose pediatrics and I am planning on pursuing general pediatrics as my vocation. Outside of residency, I love hiking, backpacking and fly fishing. We chose to come to Chattanooga because it is a great family-friendly city with beautiful outdoor opportunities within a short drive!

Ali Stedke, DO
PL-2 Resident
Medical School: University of North Texas Fort Worth

Hey everyone! I spent my childhood just outside Memphis, TN, but moved to Fort Worth, TX during high school. I attended undergrad at The University of Alabama where I majored in psychology and studied abroad in Italy for a semester! I also met my husband Cory while we were in college, and he attended Auburn University. I went to TCOM in Fort Worth for medical school. In my free time, I love going to the pool, watching college football, hiking and paddle boarding with our dog, having a game night with friends, and exploring new restaurants and breweries. We have loved getting to know the city of Chattanooga; there is always something new to do or something beautiful to explore! I am so grateful to be able to train here among a friendly and authentic group of residents, staff, and attendings.

Danielle Allen, MD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  St. George's University School of Medicine

Cole Atkins, MD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  University of Tennessee College of Medicine

I grew up in middle Tennessee, but fell in love with the Chattanooga area when I came here for undergrad. I knew I eventually wanted to make my way back to this area, but the strengths of this program, including brand new outpatient clinic, expanding PICU, high volume ED, and great attendings that love to teach made this my number one choice for residency. Ultimately I felt that this program was the best place for my training and I get the added benefits of living in a city with plenty of outdoor activities to participate in!

Daniel Hughes  MD, PhD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia

Hi everyone! I grew up in various parts of Georgia and Virginia before attending college at North Greenville University in South Carolina. I met my lovely wife Erin there, and we have been married since 2013. After finishing undergrad, I obtained both my PhD in cancer biology and my MD from the University of South Carolina (go Gamecocks!). Outside of residency, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our two dogs either gardening at home or going for a hike. A few of my other hobbies include cooking, playing board games, and swimming. I feel very fortunate to live in a city as beautiful and easy to enjoy as Chattanooga! I’m looking forward to learning pediatrics in such a wonderful place alongside a great team of residents, attendings, and staff!

Brittney Johnston, MD
PL-3 Resident/ Administrative Chief Resident
Medical School:  Lincoln Memorial University College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Katelyn Sturdivant O'Brien, MD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  Mercer University School of Medicine

I am a second year resident and am currently most interested in General Pediatrics. I live in Ringgold with my husband and toddler daughter. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, trying new recipes with my husband, and doing home improvement projects. 

James Keelan Passmore, MD
PL-3 Resident/ Administrative Chief Resident
Medical School:  Medical College of Georgia

Hey everyone! Before residency, I had spent my entire life in Georgia. I was born and raised in Gainesville, went to college in Demorest, and then attended medical school in Augusta and Rome. Naturally, my first venture outside the state is just right over the border in the beautiful city of Chattanooga. The people, scenery, and vibe are truly unique.  It already feels like home in so many ways, and I have so much left to explore and discover. Outside of the medical world I enjoy basketball, board games, eating food, and listening to my fiancée play the piano.

Dan Pham, DO
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

I was born in California but grew up in Arkansas where I met my wonderful wife in high school. I attended the University of Arkansas for my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering and medical school in Jonesboro, AR. My wife and I absolutely love Chattanooga and I feel extremely thankful to be able to train here and be a part of such an awesome program. In my free time I like to spend time with my wife and our dog, watch sports, and play video and board games.

Alexander Pope, MD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Hey! I was born in a small town in Middle Tennessee called Shelbyville. From there I went on to attend high school in Murfreesboro, college in Knoxville, then medical school in Memphis, and finally I'm here in Chattanooga for residency. That being said, I've lived all over the state, but I'm so happy to finally be living in my favorite city, Chattanooga. In my free time I enjoy playing soccer, reading, and hanging out poolside.

Pahola Rodriguez, MD
PL-3 Resident
Medical School:  Morehouse School of Medicine

¡Hola a todos! I was originally born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and moved to Lawrenceville, Ga when I was 12 years old. I went to college at Georgia State University where I met my husband and stayed in Atlanta for my medical school education at Morehouse School of Medicine. I fell in love with the city of Chattanooga as soon as I arrived here as it has beautiful outdoors, scenery, and great food scene (Go to Clumpies!). I’m very happy to be in this program as the faculty and residents are very supportive of each other like a family. Everyone is eager to teach and learn from one another! In my spare time, I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, board games and origami. Welcome to our program!