MultiCare Health System

Erica barrows-nees, MD

Home Town:  Evanston, WY

Medical School: University of Washington

Why Tacoma?

As a sub-intern, I found out quickly that TFM had strong training in pediatrics, obstetrics, and had opportunities for procedural training.  This made it a great fit for my career goals of full-spectrum rural family medicine.  Although the curriculum is excellent, the thing that really sold me on TFM was the people.  Tacoma Family Medicine residents and faculty are motivated to care for our underserved clinic population and for rural underserved populations.  I consistently saw ways in which residents cared for each other, and was inspired by the ways they spoke positively about their patients and colleagues.  After seeing all of that, it was clear where I wanted to go for residency!  Tacoma as a city is also a great place to live.  My husband and I have loved the proximity to both Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier, as well as the opportunity to explore a city filled with exciting new restaurants and hangouts.

william bowen, MD

megan bright, MD

Home Town: Waukesha, Wisconsin

Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin

Why Tacoma?

When I started looking at programs, I was eager to try a new area of the country and I knew that I would find great programs in the Northwest.  TFM had everything I was looking for- great obstetrics, pediatrics and procedures training in an urban community hospital, as well as outstanding faculty and residents.  In addition, I am loving Tacoma and all that it has to offer.  My significant other, our two dogs and I all agree that it was well worth the cross-country move!

 Adrienne cygnar, MD

I was impressed by the depth and breadth of interests and areas of expertise I saw from the faculty during my interview day, and have since found all my attending physicians and supervisory staff to be driven to help us develop both a strong knowledge base and a humanistic approach to the care of others.  I am pleased with the opportunities we have for obstetric care, service to the underserved, and ownership of a dedicated patient population from day one.  Hailing from the Midwest, the climate and topography of the Pacific Northwest also appealed to my husband and me as we looked forward trying something new and different for the three years of residency.  Outside of the hospital and clinic, I enjoy participating in local running events, exploring my new surroundings, spending time with my fabulous classmates, and taking care of my pesky tabby cats.

kayla luhrs, MD

Home Town: Ketchikan, Alaska

Medical School: University of Washington

Why Tacoma?

deeanna maughan, md

lindsay newlon, md

After spending many years on the east coast for undergrad and medical school, I wanted to return to the Pacific Northwest for residency.  There were a lot of programs to choose from in the region, but TFM felt like a great fit.  I am a small-town girl at heart, and hope to practice in a rural setting someday.  TFM offered the opportunity to learn in a city with great patient diversity for exposure to a wide range of social and medical problems, while still experiencing rural practices every year.  During my interview, I was also inspired by the enthusiasm,compassion, and intelligence of all the faculty and residents I met.  Addiotnally, I'm thrilled to be back in the Pacific Northwest where I can continue exploring the mountains and waterways, and go on strolls with my dog at Point Defiance!

KATE WERTIN, MD

Home Town: Lakewood, Colorado

Medical School: University of Washington

blake bond, md

Home Town: St. Louis, MO

Medical School: Texas A&M Health Science Center- College of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

In perusing the possibilities for residency, I sought an academically-sound community based program where I could learn to practice full-scope family medicine among the underserved from faculty who are passionate for and compassionate towards these same patients; I found it at TFM.  Combined with incredible OB and Peds training, this strong program paired perfectly with my palate's predilection for pour-over coffee.

kristin bond, MD

Home Town: Buenos Aires, Argentina and Miami, FL

Medical School: Texas A&M University

Why Tacoma?

Jessica Bryant, MD

Home Town: Albuquerque, NM

Medical School: University of New Mexico

Why Tacoma?

I temporarily left behind the Sandias and the desert sunshine for the Puget Sound!  I choose Tacoma for the full-spectrum, community oriented approach to family medicine with a focus on under served communities, pediatric care and OB training.  My interests include under-served and marginalized populations, international medicine, family planning, and adolescent medicine.  Outside of medicine I enjoy running, yoga, tango and salsa dancing.  Since my arrival in the Northwest, I appreciate the Tacoma skyline with the beautiful Mount Rainier in the background and I have become a Seattle Sounders Soccer fan!

makristy caratao, MD

Home Town: Bellvue, Washington

Medical School: University of Washington

Why Tacoma?

jana fix, md

sara huddleston, md

Home Town: Olympia, WA

Medical School: Loma Linda University

Why Tacoma?

I choose Tacoma initially because I wanted to move back to the Northwest. Tacoma was the first program I interviewed at and I was very impressed with the friendliness of the residents and the staff and the hospital. I felt very welcomed and was able to meet several of the residents who had also gone to Loma Linda and so was able to have that connection. I welcomed the opportunity to move back and be close to family and friends and to have the opportunity to continue to explore this beautiful area and to accomplish one of my goals to climb Mt. Rainier!

stephen lu, md

Home Town: Bellvue, Washington

Medical School: University of Maryland

Why Tacoma?

What attracted me to this program is the strong faculty, a reputation of good resident training, the fact that it is an unopposed program, and its commitment to the underserved (both urban and rural).  Having grown up in the Pacific-Northwest, it is also an opportunity to move back home and escape from those nasty East Coast summers,  Plus, I can finally watch my sports teams on TV.  Go Seahawks...Mariners....Huskies....Sonics?

natalia mendoza, MD

Home Town: El Paso, TX

Medical School: Columbia Physicians & Surgeons

Why Tacoma?

igor bedarev, MD

Home Town: Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Medical School: Krasnoyarsk State Medical Academy

Why Tacoma?

Looking for a medical residency program, I have browsed through hundreds of websites. In my research I was especially sensitive to the technological and scientific advances and curriculum the programs offer. When I have read about Tacoma Family Medicine (TFM), I immediately identified myself thinking that I could only dream of being a medical resident in such environment. TFM has it all, the diverse curriculum, the clinical opportunities to take care for the most complex and interesting patients, the supportive and most knowledgeable faculty physicians.  Location of the program in relative proximity to my previous residence in Mill Creek, WA was absolutely great additional benefit my family and for me. Beautiful nature of this region is invigorating and inspiring.

ann goetcheus, MD

Home Town: Washington, D.C.

Medical School: Howard University College of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

I chose Tacoma Family Medicine for many reasons, including its' mission to provide excellent quality care for an urban underserved population.  One of the unique parts of our program is the yearly away rotation during which residents may rotate in either a rural or urban underserved setting.  Most especially, the faculty are enthusiastic, create a wonderful environment for learning, are committed to the residents, and are excellent teachers of evidence based medicine.  The faculty also teach us, by example, to be caring and compassionate physicians.  My fellow residents are a second family to me and I have made relationships that will last a lifetime.

dan krebs, MD

Home Town: Springville, NY (not too far from Buffalo)

Medical School: University of Chicago / The Pritzker School of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

I ranked TFM first because I think it offers perhaps the most rigorous and comprehensive training in family medicine available today. I really wanted a program with strong obstetrical and procedural training. It was the only program I found where all of the Family Medicine faculty practice OB, some of whom with C-section privileges, and the Family Medicine residents run the L&D deck. The pediatric training is also uniquely unparalleled, with our residents working as the only residents in the city's main pediatric hospital. I was also attracted to what I consider the best of both worlds: a community-based setting with an academic affiliation to the University of Washington and membership in its nationally renowned Family Medicine Residency Network.

Emily lieuallen, do

Home Town: Madras, OR

Medical School: Des Moines University - Osteopathic Medical Center

Why Tacoma?

I am especially excited to complete my training in Tacoma, as the residency program truly focuses on training Family Physicians to be outstanding, one of a kind, compassionate individuals who are competent in all aspects of medicine. The adventurous outdoors of Tacoma and the surrounding area was also attractive to my husband and I. We enjoy hiking, running, camping, sailing and traveling!

julie miles, MD 

Home Town: Idaho Falls, ID

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

I choose Tacoma Family Medicine because of the well-rounded family medicine training. As a UW WWAMI student, I am excited to be able to stay in the area and to have a few more years to enjoy the area and all the great Northwest has to offer.

bill musgrave, do

Home Town: Portland, Oregon

Medical School: Touro  College of Osteopathic Medicine - Nevada

Why Tacoma?

I wanted to come to TFM because it is an unoppposed residency program delivering a wide breadth of skills which I felt would really prepare me to meet any challenge as a physician as well as being located in the Northwest where primary care has consistently proven to deliver top rated medical care.

kyrsten stoops MD

Home Town: Richland, WA

Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

I hail from the Northwest and initially choose Tacoma for its known superb training in OB and pediatrics.  After starting the program, I was impressed as well with the strong inpatient training and the opportunities for rural training (with a guaranteed month away every year of your residency).  Of course, one of the best parts about Tacoma, is the opportunity for outdoor explorations in the Pacific Northwest; we are located about one hour from Mount Rainier National Park, are located on the Puget Sound, and are only 1/2 hr from the mountains.  What could be better?

kristy walton, MD

Home Town: Corvallis, OR

Medical School:  Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine

Why Tacoma?

I chose the Tacoma Family Medicine Residency because of their strength in preparing physicians to work in underserved rural areas.  My passion is rural medicine where I can do clinic work, work in a small emergency room, and do obstetrics.  I believe in full spectrum patient care.  I am attracted to the fast pace, the opportunity to work with a variety of age groups, the diversity of medical conditions seen, and most importantly the continuity of care I can provide my patients.