Residents
Our Residents
Tyler Adams
Aaron Bartoe
Kilee Burke
Elizabeth Do
Griffin Geick
Michael Harbin
Christopher Lancaster
Rogelio Martinez
Tanner Nielsen
Mikayla Shorten
Daniel Tran
Matthew Treasure
Alfredo Arriaga De La Garza
Medical School: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Texas Rio Grande
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Chelsea Clark
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Texas Tech University
Hometown: Austin, Texas
I’m Chelsea, and I’m originally from Austin, TX. I received my undergraduate and MBA degrees from Texas Tech University and went to TCOM for medical school. I spent my OMS-III year in Corpus for core rotations and fell in love. I always felt challenged, supported, and valued when working with the EM residents and faculty. On top of that, the location allows me to pursue hobbies like running (by the beach!), sports (surfing, kiteboarding), fishing, and camping. If you want an environment conducive to your well-being during a unique time like residency, you’ve picked the right place!
Candice Hill
Medical School: Texas A&M University
Undergraduate School: Brigham Young University-Idaho
Hometown: Anaheim, California
Hi there! I am originally from Anaheim, CA, went to Santa Ana Community College, then BYU Idaho, and attended medical school at Texas A&M. I met my husband in undergrad and moved to Austin, TX for his job after graduating. I took a gap year to become a Texas resident and worked at Kaplan Test Prep teaching MCAT classes. I loved this job and kept it as a side gig, tutoring a bit during medical school.
Outside of work and studying I love being outdoors, staying active and traveling. Here in Corpus there are great outdoor activities like wind surfing, kayaking, fishing, kite flying and just relaxing at the beach with a bonfire. My greyhound, Valkyrie, is learning to love the beach as much as I do. Since I played water polo through college, I love swimming for exercise. It's a great break from the world and great aerobic exercise. Something unique about Corpus is all the public pools are free!
I have had some amazing opportunities to travel and have been to 6 countries and 25 of the 50 states. My favorite destination so far was Rhodes, Greece. It is an amazing island with rich history and the coolest beach I've ever seen. I'm excited for more traveling adventures in the future. I plan to do a rotation in a Spanish speaking country during my 3rd year of residency, and Panama during my next summer break.
This is an amazing program and I love going to work every day. Everyone looks out for each other on shift and we spend lots of time outside of work hanging out together. I can't imagine being anywhere else for residency.
Katherine Hoffman
Medical School: University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Texas A&M University
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Hi everyone, I’m Kat. I grew up in San Antonio, went to Texas A&M for undergrad, and went to TCOM in Fort Worth for medical school. I was drawn to this program because of how family friendly it is since I have a husband and daughter, that was important to me. I also heard nothing but wonderful things from fellow students that had rotated here and also from faculty that was familiar with the program.
Valene Knutson
Medical School: A T Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Wausau, Wisconsin
Tylor Kock
Medical School: A T Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: South Dakota State University
Hometown: Lennox, South Dakota
I know what you’re thinking so we will just get it straightened out right away. My name is Tylor Kock but pronounced “tie-ler cook”. I grew up in the great white north in Lennox, South Dakota and graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor’s in Biology. After undergrad I spent three years working as a patient care tech in an emergency department until starting medical school. Four years later, the ghost of Andrew Taylor Still himself presented me with my diploma after graduating from ATSU KCOM in Kirksville, Missouri. My first two years of medical school were spent in Missouri and my two clinical years in Phoenix.
Unlike most of the other residents, I never did a rotation at CHRISTUS Health and had never even been to Texas. Everyone always asks how you know what programs you like when you interview on zoom? But I will tell you from experience, there are a handful of places that are going to stand out, even through a virtual interview. This program was one of them. Everyone I interviewed with was down to earth and genuine. It was evident that the residents had a great relationship, and the faculty was approachable and supportive.
Since starting residency in June, I quickly found I made the right choice. From day one, you are treated like a physician and given tremendous autonomy. There are no limits to patients that interns can manage, and you are able to see patients of all levels of severity from the start. Although you own your patients, your attending and other residents are always there for support and help whenever needed. I am still in awe of the level acuity we see on a daily basis. There is definitely no shortage of procedures.
In my free time I do anything that involves the outdoors. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, working out, jiu-jitsu, and more hunting. My wife Val and I, who is also an EM resident here, enjoy camping, hiking, and occasionally suffering through a few games of pickle ball. We have a delinquent fur-baby named Cash (named after Johnny) who is a German Shorthair Pointer. He likes birds. Also, if you have any questions, you are better off asking Val because she is the smarter half.
Coady Mier
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Texas State University
Hometown: Killeen, Texas
Azim Pothiawala
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Undergraduate School: Rice University
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
Hey, my name is Azim Pothiawala. I was raised in Sugar Land, a suburb near Houston, Texas. I went to Rice University for undergrad and McGovern for medical school. I had first heard about this program from a friend working at an ED in Austin. He felt the docs, alums from CHRISTUS, were really well-trained. I did not rotate here, but my interview day, the residency location and unopposed nature were the big reasons I ranked the program high on my list. I am so happy that I did! Everyone here is so supportive and always looking out for one another. I hope you will come check us out!
Kelly Sandall
Medical School: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Eastern Washington University
Hometown: Spokane, Washington
I grew up in Washington state and did my undergrad in Cheney at Eastern Washington University. I moved to Las Vegas, NV to complete medical school at Touro University-Nevada. I went to medical school interested in emergency medicine. Over the course of my rotations, I liked a bit of everything but I became more appreciative and interested in seeing the undifferentiated sick patient. I enjoyed having procedural skills but also valued never being in a situation where there was a patient I couldn’t take care of. Whether it’s an EKG, a CT scan or a crashing patient, emergency medicine gave me the skills and knowledge to care for and help those patients. All the while having in my opinion the best work-life balance of shifts and never being on call! Aside from that, I’m a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt and train at least 5x/week, I love anime, stand-up comedy, magic the gathering, Dark Souls games and music!
I wasn’t able to do an away rotation in Corpus Christi because of COVID. I chose to apply here based on comments on reddit spreadsheets from previous years about EM residencies. It was my last interview of my interview season, I had honestly thought about canceling it, but begrudgingly I decided to do one more. What’s one more interview, right? Well, one more interview shattered my rank list. Speaking with the residents and attendings I could tell the culture of this program was somewhere I’d feel comfortable. Over zoom that’s difficult to accomplish but that was how overwhelming of an impact my interview had on me. Since becoming a resident here, I feel even stronger about my decision.
Michael Scott
Medical School: Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Brigham Young University
Hometown: Santa Clarita, California
Hey there everyone, my name is Michael Scott. I was raised in Southern California and claim Santa Clarita, CA as my hometown. I attended BYU, Provo for my undergrad where I met my wife. I graduated in Physiology and Developmental Biology and then attended Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. We have had two kids along the way during medical school.
I auditioned at CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline as a medical student and was amazed at the amount of experience I had in just a few weeks. This included hands on procedures, diversity of pathology, with a high-volume emergency department. It became apparent for me that this is where I wanted to end up to receive the best training possible for my needs as a resident and also provide a great environment for my family. Another reason why I was drawn to this program was to use Spanish in a healthcare setting.
I enjoy playing volleyball (we have resident volleyball nights), surfing (yes, there are enough waves here), mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, and really any outdoor activity. While here in Corpus Christi, I am wanting to try out windsurfing, kite boarding and the local deep-sea fishing.
Katherine Spencer
Medical School: University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix
Undergraduate School: Arizona State University
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Hi there, I’m Kate! I was born in Durham, NC and lived in Denver, CO for a few years before settling into Phoenix, AZ at age 10. I completed my education in Phoenix, including undergrad at Arizona State University, where I studied biochemistry and anthropology, and medical school at University of Arizona, College of Medicine - Phoenix. In my free time, I love practicing yoga, trying new restaurants, and hiking with my husband, Justin, who’s also a resident in this program!
I was able to rotate here as a medical student and had a phenomenal experience. I was drawn to the unopposed nature of the program, which ensures that we build a wide range of strong skills. I also appreciate that there are no restrictions to the patients that you can see as an intern. You are encouraged to see the sickest patients and will be guided by upper-levels and attendings as a team. Our faculty are incredibly knowledgeable and always make time for teaching on-shift. In addition to the excellent training, this program has a lot of other aspects that were important to me - including excellent relationships with colleagues and nursing, perks like free food and parking, great moonlighting opportunities, and a well-designed shift schedule. My favorite part of all is the culture and the people in this program - everyone is incredibly friendly, welcoming, and supportive.
I wish you the best of luck in finding your future residency program and would absolutely encourage you to consider Corpus! 10/10 would recommend :)
Travis Tarleton
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Texas Tech University
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
I’m Travis. I’m originally from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and went to medical school nearby in San Antonio. I went to undergrad at Texas Tech University and graduate school at Texas A&M. I like to go fishing, play golf, cook, and hang out at our local breweries. I’m married to my wife, Erica, and we have a precious kitty cat named Max.
As a 4th year medical student, I rotated in the ER here and absolutely fell in love with the program. I was really impressed at how knowledgeable and capable the residents were, and I was thrilled when they asked me to intubate the very first patient I saw on my rotation. The residents and attendings were great at teaching on shift and I learned and did so much during my rotation. I ranked this program #1 on my rank list and was ecstatic to find out I matched here.
I can say without a doubt that my experience here as a resident has been even better than I imagined. There is no graduated responsibility, so on day 1 you are allowed and encouraged to see the sickest patients that come into the ER. As an unopposed residency, the procedures are plentiful and when you need specialty consultation, you’re the one making the call. Our didactics are entertaining, the rotations are great, and we have excellent relationships with the attendings and nurses. We have tons of independence and are allowed to really develop our confidence and style of practicing emergency medicine, while always having excellent attending support and expertise. I would highly recommend everyone come and check out our program.
Shaun Antonio
Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine at New Mexico State University
Undergraduate School: Pennsylvania State University
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Hey, my name is Shaun Antonio. A few quick and interesting factoids about me are that I was born in Anchorage Alaska. My Dad was in the Air Force, so my mom, older brother, and younger sister moved around a fair amount before settling into Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have a cat named Harrison and a Pomeranian named Mia. I attended the Pennsylvania State University for undergrad, Boston University earning a dual Masters in Medical Sciences and Public Health, and the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical school. Lastly, I was a nationally competitive gymnast for over twenty years.
The reason that I chose to go into Emergency Medicine was the variety that the field has to offer. I love the idea of never knowing what will walk in through the doors, needing to use all of my medical knowledge and diagnostic abilities, and possessing the skills to perfume lifesaving procedures. The emergency department is also the safety net for some of the most vulnerable populations. It offers a window into the public health of a community, allowing me to use my public health degree and influence social change.
Last year, I had the fortune to have an audition rotation at CHRISTUS Health. I quickly realized that the program possessed all of the qualities that I wanted in a residency. The faculty is passionate about teaching and created a supportive learning environment. Being an unopposed residency is an incredible benefit. Not having to compete with other residents for procedures and patients offers a level of growth and development that I could not imagine having anywhere else. This is particularly true given the high acuity seen at CHRISTUS Health. Being the regional trauma center and caring for so many ill patients, I know that after residency I will have the knowledge and skillset to care for any patient.
Just in case you haven’t heard yet, Corpus Christi is right next to the beach. The ED parking lot has an ocean view and Padre Island is about a twenty-minute drive. The access to outdoor water sports is a big plus for me. On days off, or if you aren’t too tired after a shift, you can go kayaking with dolphin, windsurf in the Atlantic, or hangout at the beach, have a beer and roast marshmallows on a bonfire. Over the next three years, it is my personal goal to become scuba certified and to learn to kite surf.
Monica Campa
Medical School: University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: Reno, Nevada
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Hello! My name is Monica Campa. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, went to Undergrad in Reno, Nevada, and attended medical school in Las Vegas at UNLV. I was first exposed to Emergency Medicine while working as a scribe at a Level II Trauma Center in Reno, and I loved this specialty right away. Throughout medical school my passion for EM only grew stronger, and I am so excited to be at this stage in the journey!
I met my husband Dominic in my sophomore year of college, and so far we are loving Corpus Christi and actually bought our first home here. In my free time I love to hike or do anything outside, especially with my dog Luna by my side, and I enjoy writing for my personal blog. On my blog I share medical school and residency application advice, and I’ve been reflecting on each block of residency. My blog is https://monicarose.me. (This is not officially sponsored or partnered with the residency, just my personal experiences and advice).
After living in Nevada my entire life, I was ready and excited for a new adventure for residency; I’m so grateful to have matched at my #1 choice here in Corpus! Navigating the application season with virtual interviews was a unique adventure, but I honestly believe I was meant to end up here and am extremely happy. A number of things drew me here: the fact that we are the only resident learners around (“unopposed”); the unique combination of county-like underserved patients in a community setting and with the opportunity to work with medical students; the autonomy and opportunity to see the sickest patients right away; and, Corpus Christi is very affordable and having the ocean so close is such a beautiful perk. The patient population here is unique, and faces many comorbidities and socioeconomic issues, and I feel privileged to work here and help serve them. Now that I’ve been here for a few months, I am also happy to find that the “family” vibe that was advertised during interview season is very genuine. The attendings and residents treat us, and our partners, like part of the family from day 1. I look up to every single one of the second and third years; seeing their skills and confidence continues to reassure me that if I show up and put in the work, I will grow into the best possible ER doc I can be.
Megan Cook
Medical School: Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
Undergraduate School: Arizona State University
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hello there! I’m so glad you found our program and encourage you to check it out!
I’m originally from Albuquerque, NM and spent most of my childhood there, except for 2 years of kindergarten and first grade in South Texas about an hour from Corpus Christi – I’d like to think that now I’ve come completely full circle in my education. I later lived in Phoenix, AZ for 10 years where I attended Arizona State University and then AZCOM. I worked as a scribe in the Emergency Department before medical school and absolutely fell in love with emergency medicine from the beginning.
I was so fortunate to rotate here in Corpus Christi as a medical student and could tell from day one that this would be an amazing place to train. On my rotation, the confidence and competence of the third years blew me away. I knew this was the place for me, and I am so grateful I got to come back to work with everyone in the program and experience the incredible pathology and training environment in Corpus Christi. Now as a resident, I am constantly reminded of the unrivaled opportunity to train at an unopposed program where we get to do pretty much all of our own procedures, and if it’s not you, it’s an emergency medicine resident colleague on their ICU or trauma rotation. The camaraderie you hear about at this program really is true, and it’s a privilege to work in an environment where that rapport exists between the residents and with our faculty.
In my free time, I like to spend my time outside, doing things like hiking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. For now, I’ve traded some of those activities in for time on the beach and the prospect of learning some new water sports!
If anything, you are reading in our biographies resonates with you, I encourage you to learn more about us and you certainly won’t be disappointed!
Zachary Felke
Medical School: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Central Washington University
Hometown: Marysville, Washington
Hi there everyone, my name is Zachary Felke and I am from a pacific northwest town called Marysville, Washington. Shortly after high school, I enlisted and served 8 years as a Flight Medic in the United States Air Force before graduating with my B.S. from Central Washington University. I then attended medical school at Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, Washington. Throughout this long journey, I have had my wife, Jessica by my side and we have had 3 beautiful children along the way: Emmett, Owen and Adeline.
As an eager medical student, I wanted to approach every specialty as one that I may make a career of, but ultimately the Emergency Department always felt like home. Additionally, with my previous work experience being in pre-hospital EMS, I always gravitated towards the calling to continuing my medical education in Emergency Medicine.
Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was unable to complete a rotation at CHRISTUS Spohn. However, I had heard nothing but amazing thing about this program and I was elated to have been offered an interview and ultimately match!
For most programs, it is tough to determine “a good fit” through an interview. That’s not the case here. My advice would be to find a program that truly cares for its residents. You will be able to see this through talking with our residents. Everyone in the program gets together outside of work for beach days, fishing, volleyball or just grabbing dinner or drinks. Everyone is always checking in to make sure that residents and their families are doing well. For this reason alone, I am so happy that I chose this program.
Also, the training is second to none. With a vast array of pathology as well as being an unopposed program, CHRISTUS Spohn provides limitless critical care opportunities and procedures. It is not unheard of to have much of your residency procedural requirements completed by the end of your intern year. As emergency physicians we are expected to be the proceduralist and our residency trains us to be that and so much more.
As for Corpus Christi, you can’t beat having the warm weather, palm trees and beaches right outside of the hospital. My family and I like trying a new beach spot every chance we get. If you’re into board sports like me, there are never-ending spots to surf, longboard, kite-board, wind-surf, etc.
Regardless of where you end up for residency, I want to congratulate you for choosing emergency medicine and wish you the best of luck in your future career. Please feel free to reach out to me or any of the residents here at CHRISTUS Spohn for any questions you may have about our program.
Justin Hacnik
Medical School: University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Arizona
I grew up in Arizona and did my undergrad in Tucson at the University of Arizona. I then completed medical school at the University of Nevada, Reno. I first became interested in Emergency Medicine while working as a scribe in the ED prior to applying to medical school. Early on in my medical experiences, I realized that I found it important to be able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of diseases. Emergency medicine offered the opportunity to do just that. In my free time I enjoy hiking with my fiancé, exercising at the gym, reading, and writing music!
Even though I wasn’t able to do an away rotation in Corpus Christi because of COVID, I had heard from a classmate who did rotate here that the program has not only an excellent place to train but also a supportive learning environment. During my interview I felt strongly that Corpus Christi would be a great place to learn emergency medicine. My first few months as a resident have solidified this belief! The residency’s unopposed training environment has translated to lots of early experience with procedures.
Mary Hamblen
Medical School: University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of California-Berkley
I’m Mary. I grew up in southern California and went to college at UC Berkeley. I love being outside in nature, but I also love video games and have yet to find a comfortable (and affordable) way to experience both simultaneously. Please send word if you have any tips.
You’re on the right track if you’ve come this far. Corpus is a dream EM program. I was sold from day one as a rotating medical student and never looked back. The culture here is warm and familial, but in no way does it sacrifice academic rigor in pursuance of this atmosphere.
If you want to be happy, but also come out of residency at the top of your game, this is the place.
Nicholas Linares
Medical School: Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Texas-Dallas
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Hi, I’m Nick Linares. I am a native Texan, born and raised in Plano, TX just outside of Dallas. I went to undergrad at The University of Texas at Dallas, then worked for a short time in clinical research before attending medical school at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine.
My journey to Corpus began when I was a kid who slipped around a hotel pool in Corpus on a family beach trip requiring an ER visit for concussion. Ever since, it’s been impressed upon my head to come back to the ER in Corpus. Okay…well, while the story is real, the actual reasons why I wanted to come here are multiple...
I had the opportunity to rotate here as a 4th year medical student, and got to see in person how well-trained, cool, and friendly all the residents and faculty were, as well as be exposed to the great variety of high acuity trauma, complex medical patients, and procedures that this program offers. There are no other specialty residents here to take your procedures.
After 4 years away for med school in Alabama, I welcomed the opportunity to return to the great state of Texas to begin a career in emergency medicine. Residency is hard, but I look forward to my ER shifts, and working with my co-residents and faculty. We have a collegial and professional culture here that I am very happy with.
As far as Corpus Christi goes, there are lots of outdoor activities and warm weather with the beach nearby to keep me busy. I’m also an avid golfer, which has been a nice challenge trying to navigate the Corpus winds.
My advice for students trying to choose a program – Look for a program where you will be happy at, well-trained, respected as a person, and is overall the best fit for you. I couldn’t be happier to be here, and look forward to my continued training.
Ginny Powell
Medical School: Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Kansas
Hometown: Hutchinson, Kansas
Hey guys, thanks for checking out our program! I grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas and went to undergrad at the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!). I met my husband, Scott, in Kansas City and since then, we’ve lived in six different states and we have two sweet and spunky daughters. I went to nursing school in Arkansas and worked as an ER and PICC nurse for about 5 years before going to medical school at LUCOM in Virginia. In looking for a residency program, I knew I wanted to live someplace warmer and being on the coast was a huge selling point! I immediately felt at home in Corpus. The hospital is literally right on the water, so seeing the ocean and the palm trees every day on my drive to work puts me in a great mood!
CHRISTUS has met and exceeded my expectations; I could not be happier to have matched here! I didn’t get the chance to rotate here during medical school, but this program was on my radar early on. CHRISTUS has everything I was looking for in a residency. It’s a community program with a university affiliation, so we get the experience of training at a community center with the academic resources afforded at a university program. The only other residency here is family medicine, so we work essentially unopposed. There are no anesthesia or surgery residents competing for procedures. The EM residents are the residents on the trauma service. If there’s a procedure to be done, it’s yours, and there are plenty to go around. Many of our residents complete the required number of procedures needed to graduate by the end of intern year! We get unlimited free food at the cafeteria and the 24/7 grab and go as well as free parking right outside the ED. We have incredible faculty, staff, and residents and everyone is so open and welcoming. We are truly fortunate to have such an amazing team! We are given the autonomy to discover our own practice style, while having the support and expertise of our attendings readily available. The education we receive here is unmatched and you will absolutely be prepared to practice wherever you choose!
Outside of work I love going to the beach with my family, trying new restaurants, and exploring South Texas. It’s almost always sunny and hot, and I’m looking forward to fall and winter when we won’t have any snow! I love taking pictures and can usually be seen outside with a camera around my neck. I also enjoy watching new shows on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, etc.!
T. Alex Rogers
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Undergraduate School: Mississippi State University
Hometown: Katy, Texas
Welcome to Corpus Christi! My name is Alex, and I’m originally from Katy, Texas. I went to Mississippi State University (Hail State) and studied chemistry. Just before starting medical school, I met the woman who would end up becoming my wife. We have a pretty wild story of how we met (or really hadn’t met before). I ended up at McGovern Medical School in Houston.
Why is Corpus Christi a great program for you? I don’t know where to start! First, you never have to compete with surgical, orthopedic, OB residents. I feel like our procedural training and skills are unparalleled. Also, there are no restrictions to interns. Your first patient could be that critical DKA patient that needs every line, tube, drain you could imagine, and you get to do it. Don’t worry about learning how to handle these super sick patients, your first month you have an upper level who backs you up and shadows you every shift. The benefits outside of the ED are pretty great too! Solid pay, free food, moonlighting, and beaches less than 15 minutes away.
Outside of work, some of my favorite things include playing guitar, playing with my COVID dog (Wicket), hanging out on the beach, and cooking new things. Residency is tough, but these hobbies plus our amazing team have helped immensely in this time!
Connor Schromm
Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
Undergraduate School: Arizona State University
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Hey there, I’m Connor! I’m from Phoenix, AZ where I went to undergrad at Arizona State University. I spent several years scribing in the ED throughout that time, which basically sold me on medicine and EM. From there, I made my way to the Midwest for medical school at Kansas City University and learned what an actual winter feels like.
While researching residency programs, my goals were to flee to sunnier weather and find a solid, welcoming program. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, I did not get a chance to rotate here but if I had I 100% would not want to be anywhere else. I was immediately sold during my interview on the culture of the program as everyone was incredibly welcoming and seemed like they truly enjoyed each other’s company. They did not have to try too hard to convince me of what a gem this program has become. We are unopposed on procedures, see a wide variety of high acuity disease, and have some of the best staff/mentors I’ve ever worked with. If you get a chance to rotate here, do it! You will really enjoy getting to know our program!
In my spare time I enjoy exploring new places with my wife, hanging with our co-residents and families (including our faculty!), and doing anything outdoors including soccer, golf, beach, or running! My wife and I are expecting a baby boy soon so I’ve been practicing my dad routine like mowing my lawn in my New Balances, falling asleep sitting up on my couch in 0.2 seconds, and worrying about gas prices in other cities. Corpus is awesome for beach time; you can quite literally drive your car onto the beach and camp out. We have good restaurants and are only a short drive away from bigger cities like San Antonio and Houston for weekend getaways.
Alexander Truitt
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: Purdue University
Hey! My name is Alex Truitt and I’m originally from Indiana. I attended Purdue University for undergrad (Boiler Up!) where I studied Biology and Spanish before pursuing medicine at IUSM. I enjoyed participating in intramural football, Amtgard, attending home games, and pushing my miles on my distance runs. Although I love Indiana, I knew I wanted to move outside of the Midwest to pursue my residency training.
I performed an in-depth review utilizing MeSH terms through reputable sources such as Reddit and Tumblr to construct my initial application list. It was apparent very early on that the CHRISTUS Spohn-Texas A&M Emergency Medicine Residency Program would provide superior training and opportunities as compared to many other programs. I have a strong desire to become an excellent clinician, and I am certain that I can achieve that goal through this program. Do you want to place a central line and intubate a patient on your very first shift? Not a problem! Do you want to learn to prioritize your crashing patients and those that need urgent thoracostomies? Well strap in! As an unopposed program with little graduated responsibility, when it is your turn to pick up a patient, then that patient is yours from start to finish – history, physical, medications, procedures, and all. You will always have guidance from your uppers and your attendings, but you will learn the knowledge and skills necessary to manage sick patients very early on. These are just a few examples of what make this program stand out.
When you’re not on shift, then there is still plenty of fun to be had! I enjoy gaming competitively online, as well as playing board games, exercising, travel, and listening to music. As a top 16 NA Settlers of Catan competitor (TIPS: Bet high on wheat, and nobody wants your sheep), I have found many other residents who share my passion for games. The Shoreline hospital also sits conveniently right on the shoreline, and so there is plenty of opportunity for beach hang outs and catching some sun. I’ve also enjoyed group exercises with the residents and faculty, and giving my (unsolicited) opinions on the glory of heavy metal and K-Pop.
If you’re looking for a program that will push you to be your best, provide unparalleled experiences, and instill a sense of camaraderie with your fellow residents and faculty, then I sincerely hope that you will check us out!
Corey Ziemba
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hey everyone, I’m Corey! I was born in Houston so I’m technically a Texan, but I grew up in Tampa, Florida. I did my undergrad at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) and headed up to Louisville, KY for medical school. I know Kentucky isn’t exactly the north, but it was definitely colder than Florida so I was excited for the chance to come back to warmer weather. When not at the hospital, I love to fish, boat, and just hang out at the beach! I’m also a huge hockey fan which I know makes no sense considering I’m from Florida. Although I’m on the other side of the Gulf from where I grew up, this place really feels like home to me!
There is a lot to love about this residency, but I think what really sold me was the strength of residents here. It’s seriously every day that I’m just amazed at how easily these guys manage super sick patients. I’m also pretty sure all of them could do most procedures with their eyes closed, but I guess that’s not really a surprise when we get so many opportunities to do procedures as an unopposed residency! There are no surgery residents taking our chest tubes, no medicine residents taking our lines, and no anesthesia residents taking our airways. There’s rarely a day that goes by that I’m not doing some cool procedure and that’s probably the biggest reason most of us picked EM as a specialty in the first place! I truly believe that the training we get here is second to none and I know I’ll be an outstanding clinician by the end of the three years!