Meet the Residency Class of 2028

The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics is excited to welcome the newest members of its residency program. This year’s class includes 16 pediatric residents, one preliminary dermatology resident, and one child neurology resident. Each brings a unique background, diverse interests, and passion for child health. Get to know them beyond the white coat with this Q&A covering everything from their favorite comfort foods to the non-medical topics they could talk about for hours.

 

Colleen Alexander, MD

Medical School
Emory University School of Medicine

Emily Schierer, DO

Medical School
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Louisiana Campus

Food you could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Cheese curds

What is your favorite song this summer?
The new Lumineers album!

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
A ranked list of the best ranch dressings.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Having a genuine conversation with someone that makes me laugh!

Nathan Alldritt, MD

Medical School
University of Illinois College of Medicine – Rockford

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
I could eat tacos or taco bowls every day and absolutely never get tired of them.

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Georgia Peach” by Quin XCII

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Detasseling corn

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Being with my wife.

Marissa Swenson, DO

Medical School
Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Ice cream

What is your favorite song this summer?
Anything Hozier

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Why “Derry Girls” is one of the best TV shows.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Finding a pretty place to walk and a go-to coffee shop.

Rameen Bajwa, MBBS

Medical School
Aga Khan University Medical College

Olivia Thompson, DO

Medical School
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Bananas

What is your favorite son this summer?
“That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
It would probably be a lecture on my favorite movie which is Cloud Atlas.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Once it’s clean and I’m about to sit down with a coffee and a book

Renee Cafun, MD

Medical School
University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Pizza!!

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Amen” by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
“The Real Housewives”

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Finding a coffee shop with the perfect almond croissant.

Hannah O’Brien, MD

Medical School
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Soft pretzels and Indian food

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
How to make the best homemade mac and cheese.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Being around a group of people who seem like friends/are laughing and having fun

Tahreem Fatima, MBBS

Medical School
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Pasta

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Young and Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Shopping

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Nature walk

Cassandra Windau, MD

Medical School
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Cheese! There are just too many good options: cheese curds (squeaky and fried), string cheese, charcuterie cheese, melted cheese to dip everything else in. You can’t go wrong!!

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Go Back – YDG Remix” by John Summit, Sub Focus, and Julia Church

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Basics of behavior, learning, psychology is so interesting to me!

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
My golden retriever, Mo!

Kristin Kohlmann, MD

Medical School
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Lauren Woyak, MD

Medical School
Medical College of Wisconsin

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Mashed potatoes

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Allstar cheerleading and its inner complexities, such as scoring politics, rules, and fan favorite teams. I could go on for years!

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Good food!

Izzy Loertscher, MD

Medical School
St. George’s University School of Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Bun thit nuong

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Could Have Been Me” by the Struts

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
The Stormlight Archive

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
A good hiking trail

Tess Jewell, MD, MPH

Medical School
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Peanut butter filled pretzels

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Femininomenon” by Chappell Roan

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
Horses!

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
My cats!

Samantha Morgan, DO

Medical School
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Any kind of pasta.

What is your favorite song this summer?
“DtMF” by Bad Bunny

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
My dog and how he’s the best boy.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Sharing laughs with new friends.

Angela Yang, MD

Preliminary Dermatology Resident

Medical School
Northwestern University The Feinberg School of Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Popcorn

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Kaleidoscope” by Chappell Roan

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
How to work with oven-bake clay.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Having a spot to curl up with a good book.

Megan Nedden, MD

Medical School
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Tacos!

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Another Day in Paradise” by Quinn XCII

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
The different kinds of pests and diseases that potato plants can have. I used to be a potato scout in the summer in college.

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
When people are kind and welcoming.

Matthew Dekman, MD

Child Neurology Resident

Medical School
St. George’s University School of Medicine

What food could you eat every day and never get tired of?
Any flavor of ice cream, except mint chocolate chip

What is your favorite song this summer?
“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan

If you had to give a 10-minute presentation about a non-medical topic, what would it be about?
“Game of Thrones” or “Star Wars”

What is one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in a new place?
Finding the best place to watch sports.