Audrey Smith, DO | Fourth Year Resident
The connection between the resident physicians and their community is remarkable. ETSU OB/GYN feels like a family, and the support everyone provides to one another is evident.
Undergrad: Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois
Med School: Kansas City University, Joplin, Missouri
Thomas Snead, MD | Fourth Year Resident
I wanted to serve a high-risk and underserved patient population, and since I love the mountains, ETSU was a perfect fit for me. I have also been impressed by the supportive culture fostered by my fellow resident physicians, which centers around our shared goal of continuously improving patient care.
Undergrad: Auburn University
Med School: University of South Alabama College of Medicine
Callie Watson, MD | Fourth Year Resident
I truly love the people here! This program has deepened my passion for OB/GYN, and I am confident I would receive excellent training if I stayed at ETSU. The mountains are an added bonus!
Undergrad: Mississippi State University
Med School: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine
Samantha Bookbinder, MD | Third Year Resident
ETSU was the ideal program for me. After spending my third year of medical school at our rural health sister campus, I sought a program that offered high-acuity cases within a small community environment. I wanted a program that provided the resources of an academic institution but was more focused on medical education than on research. As I applied for residency, I felt conflicted about how to acquire training in complex family planning without contributing to the “medical brain drain.” ETSU’s location on the border of Tennessee and Virginia has allowed me to advocate for patients while receiving the appropriate training for my career.
Undergrad: Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Connecticut
Med School: Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
Chloe O'Dell, MD | Third Year Resident
I chose ETSU OB/GYN because I have a deep love for this area and a strong passion for serving the people in this region. During my time as a medical student, I was inspired by the camaraderie among the resident physicians, which solidified my decision to join this program. ETSU helped me discover that OB/GYN is my true passion, and I am excited to complete my residency training here.
Undergrad: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
Med School: East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
Olivia Van Benschoten, MD | Third Year Resident
ETSU aligned perfectly with my desire to care for patients who have limited access to healthcare, as well as my interest in training within a close-knit academic program. I wanted to learn in a high-acuity environment alongside individuals who share my passion for serving the underserved. I found exactly that at ETSU! I truly appreciate our community and the patients we serve.
Undergrad: Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Med School: Emory University School of Medicine
Sanya Dudani, MD | Second Year Resident
I chose ETSU for my residency because of its supportive environment, focus on hands-on training, and dedication to serving a diverse patient population. The strong connections ETSU has with the local community, the opportunities for involvement, and the camaraderie among residents further reinforced my decision.
Undergrad: Augusta University
Med School: Medical College of Georgia
Emily McCord-Dennis, MD | Second Year Resident
I chose ETSU for its strong sense of community. I wanted a program where the residents would be my second family, supporting me in my life and career goals!
Undergrad: Eastern Kentucky Univerisity
Med School: University of Kentucky
Janika Raynes, MD | Second Year Resident
This is where I first fell in love with OB/GYN. During my third-year clerkship, I realized that both the program and its people were something special. The patient population was unique as well. I found that Johnson City offered a perfect balance between rural and suburban life, providing everything from common cases to the occasional unique ones. As a medical student, I felt supported and fulfilled, and I longed for that same environment during residency. The continued familiarity gives me the confidence to challenge myself and grow. With a smaller program, my training is more personalized. Johnson City surprised me in the best way possible, and my partner and I are excited to enjoy the beautiful mountains for another four years.
Undergrad: Boston College
Grad: Lipscomb University
Medical School: ETSU Quillen College of Medicine
Lauren Albright, DO | First Year Resident
I chose ETSU because it provides a comprehensive curriculum, excellent surgical training, and compassionate mentorships that will help me become a competent and confident OB/GYN. East Tennessee has always been my home, and I am excited to serve the community that raised me. I can't wait to spend the next four years of my training near my family, friends, and those beautiful mountains!
Undergrad: Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Medical School: LMU - DCOM, Harrogate, Tennessee
Emalee Combs, MD | First Year Resident
I chose ETSU OB/GYN for my residency because I wanted a program that combines a strong community atmosphere with the resources of an academic medical center. I also sought the opportunity to care for an Appalachian patient population that faces social determinants of health similar to those I experienced while growing up in Eastern Kentucky.
Undergrad: University of Kentucky, BHS in Medical Laboratory Science
Medical School: University of kentucky, Rural Physician Leadership Program
Megan Irby, MD | First Year Resident
I chose ETSU because I wanted a program that would help me become the best OB/GYN I could be. With a small number of residents and no fellowships, I felt confident that any areas where I needed improvement would be addressed. Additionally, the opportunity to work on interesting cases in a state vastly different from what I was accustomed to would provide the right level of challenge. I also believed that being part of a close-knit group of co-residents would offer the support I needed throughout this journey.
Undergrad: University of Arizona
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson