Daniel Benedick, M.D. 
Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Daniel received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho. He is married to his wonderful wife Kristina, and they have one son. Daniel has worked for AmeriCorps, worked with the Hispanic population in Caldwell, Idaho, and has performed mission work in Rwanda, Burundi, and Tijuana, Mexico. He speaks conversational Spanish and his hobbies include baseball, fly fishing, and ping pong amongst others.

 John Brosa, M.D. 
University of Kansas Medical School

John comes to us after completing an internship year in Urology at Loyola University in Chicago. He received a Bachelor’s in Life Science at Kansas State University and then became a Physician’s Assistant graduating from Wichita State University. John worked for five years as a Physician’s Assistant including at Terry Reilly as a National Health Services Corps scholar in Nampa, Idaho. John went back to medical school at the University of Kansas where he received his M.D. degree. John worked at free clinics as a medical student and as the medical student class representative to the student assembly.

Tara Erbele, M.D. 
Albany Medical College

Tara received her undergraduate degree in Genetics from the University of California Davis. She was the President of the American Medical Women’s Association and the Physicians for Human Rights Chapters at her medical school. Tara has been to Uganda, the Guatemala Highlands, and a Cherokee Indian Reservation and speaks basic Spanish. Her hobbies include Yoga and Latin dancing (Salsa and Merengue) amongst others.

Nizhonii Kinsel-Evans, M.D.
University of Washington School of Medicine

Nizhonii received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Harvard University. She was the Secretary of the Medicine Wheel Society and the Council Representative for the Harvard Native American Program. She speaks Navajo as well as German and her hobbies include “fancy dancing”, playing the saxophone and piano, swimming and fly fishing.

 Julie Lyons, M.D.
Oregon Health & Science University

Julie received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Brown University. Afterwards, she ventured west to Jackson WY, where she taught environmental education and adaptive skiing. Next, she headed to Oregon to become a high school science teacher. Through teaching anatomy and physiology, she decided to follow her intellectual passion and head to medical school. She created a student elective in palliative care and was the class representative to the curriculum committee. When she's not at work, Julie loves to spend time on her mountain bike or skis. She also enjoys running, gardening, and traveling.

 Ryan Moore, M.D.
Loma Linda University School of Medicine

Ryan's undergraduate degree is in Business Administration from Walla Walla College. He played varsity basketball and golf at Walla Walla College. His hobbies include hiking, fishing, and camping.

Stacia Munn, M.D.
Oregon Health & Science University School

Stacia received her undergraduate degree in Dietetics from Point Loma Nazarene University. She worked during medical school in the Association of the Students of the Underserved and several free clinics in the Portland area. She has worked in the past as a classroom assistant and building restorer in Beirut, Lebanon; a law firm receptionist; and as a patient registrar at Saint Alphonsus hospital here in Boise. Stacia is married and her hobbies include golf, softball, cooking, and photography.

Heather Nichols, M.D. 
University of Miami School of Medicine

Heather received her B.S. in Biology from Gonzaga. She has worked with the underserved in Haiti and Nicaragua, and as a Juvenile Corrections Officer. Heather has been the Florida Delegate to the AAFP Student Congress and presently sits as the student member on the AAFP’s Commission on Members and Membership Services. She speaks medical Spanish and her hobbies include salsa and hip hop dancing, snowboarding, kayaking, and basketball.

Kathryn Potter, M.D.
Baylor College of Medicine

Kathryn graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Biomedical Sciences and Business Administration. She worked for 18 months as a financial analyst at the First Southwest Company before going to medical school. She was the FMIG Co-President at Baylor, and worked in the Reach Out and Read Program, as well as being a camp counselor for children with cancer. Kathryn speaks medical Spanish and her hobbies include marathons, triathlons, backpacking, skiing, and cooking. 

Robert Amrine, M.D. 
University of Washington School of Medicine

Robert was born in Missoula, Montana.  He went to the University of Washington for both his undergraduate work with a degree in cellular and molecular biology as well as the University of Washington, School of Medicine. Robert was a Montana WWAMI student and did a rural five month WRITE rotation in McCall, Idaho.  Robert enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, running and bicycle racing.

Kimberly Elliott, D.O., PhD
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kimberly was born in Butte, Montana.  She went to East Central University in Oklahoma where she received a degree in Biology. She then went to Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kimberly is married and enjoys painting, sculpture, art museums, gourmet cooking, jogging and cycling.

Ryan Gilles, M.D.
Medical College of Wisconsin

Ryan is from Green Bay, WI, where he grew up rooting for the Packers and even spent a summer working in a cheese factory. He spent 8 years in Milwaukee, WI earning a bachelors degree in molecular biology/biochemistry at Marquette University and his medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Ryan is married to a Spokane, WA native, and they are expecting their first child (a boy) in December 2008. They have a cock-a-poo, who enjoys hiking and camping as much as they do. They've enjoyed spending the past year in Boise, taking advantage of the running, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and camping the area has to offer.

Rebecca Kinney, M.D.
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Rebecca was born in New York City. She went to Harvard University where she received a BA degree in history and literature.  She then went to the Mount Sanai School of Medicine. Rebecca is married and her husband is from Idaho. She has a brother in law who was a family physician. Rebecca’s hobbies include running in triathalons and she was a member of the NCAA division one track and field team at both Stanford and Harvard.

Elisabeth Kuper, M.D.
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Alison Madsen, M.D. 
University of Washington School of Medicine

Alison was born in Walla Walla, Washington and went to Reed College where she got her degree in biochemistry and molecular biology.  She spent three years away from school, during which time she studied reproductive health in Latin America.  Later she returned to her hometown where she worked as a Spanish translator and nursing assistant for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.  She attended the University of Washington School of Medicine and was part of the WWAMI program.  She is excited to be in Boise for the sunshine, great outdoors, and proximity to family.  She has been very happy at FMRI because of the great group of people combined with the opportunity to learn full-spectrum family medicine, including obstetrics and reproductive health.  Her hobbies include hiking, cooking, exploring new places, and watching good movies.

Phillip Mendoza, M.D. 
University of Colorado Health Sciences School of Medicine

Phillip was born in Denver Colorado. Phillip went to Colorado State University where he received a degree in biology and then went to the University of Colorado, School of Medicine. Phillip is married with 2 daughters and is a National Health Service Corps Scholar.  Phillip enjoys hiking and camping, running, hunting and participating in youth organizations such as boy scouts and wrestling club.

Michelle Minikel, M.D.
University of California San Francisco School of Medicine

Michelle is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for undergrad where she raced for the cycling team and studied sustainable ecology. She also lived in Quito, Ecuador for a year as part of a study abroad program. For medical school, she attended the Joint Medical Program (an MD-MS combined program at UC Berkeley and UCSF) where she developed a strong love for the mountains by tele skiing, mountaineering, hiking and cycling her way through school. She also took an interest in medical education and patient education, as well as rural family medicine, which she especially enjoyed in the Central Valley, working with migrant farmworkers. She had the opportunity to travel to China and Vietnam during med school and will be working in Namibia during her 2^nd year of residency in an elective rotation. She is in a wonderful relationship, loves endeavors in the mountains and cooking without recipes.

Jeremy Mitchell, D.O. 
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Jeremy was born in Kalispell, Montana.  He went to Montana State University where he received a degree in chemical engineering. Jeremy then went to the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Jeremy is married and enjoys soccer, frisbee, running and acoustic guitar playing as well as downhill skiing.

Tammy Pascoe, M.D.
University of Utah School of Medicine

Tamara was born in Caldwell, Idaho. She went to Boise State University where she received a degree in athletic training and biology. She then received her Masters Degree in exercise and sports studies before going to the University of Utah, School of Medicine. Tamara is a NHSC Scholar and has worked at Boise State University as the associate head athletic trainer for twelve years. Tamara enjoys hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, golfing, and all sports.

Drew Polson, M.D.
Texas Tech University School of Medicine

 Drew was raised in Sedalia, Colorado.  He went to Ricks College before going on a LDS mission to Chile where he learned fluent Spanish. Drew got his undergraduate degree from BYU in zoology before going to the Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas. Drew is married with 2 boys, Cade and Jake. His hobbies include mountain biking, skiing, basketball, reading, history, and spending time with his family.

Class of 2011

---

J'Cinda Bitters, M.D.
University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine at Galveston

J'Cinda was born in Abilene Texas.  She went to Texas A & M University and received a BS degree in Biomedical Science.  J'Cinda is FMIG President, received the Gold Humanism Award, and worked at the St. Vincent's Free Clinic.  She and her husband have recently become new parents with the birth of their first child.  Her hobbies include kayaking, road biking, running in marathons and half marathons.

Lloyd Blackler, M.D.
Sanford School of Medicine of the University of South Dakota

Lloyd was born in Fort Collins, Colorado.  He went to the University of Minnesota, Duluth Minnesota and received a BS degree in Biology.  He attended the Lakota Training Leadership Institute in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has been to Costa Rica, and speaks Spanish.  He is President of the Christian Medical and Dental Society and the recipient of the Gold Humanism Award.  His hobbies include road and mountain biking, running, backpacking with llamas, fly fishing, working with cows, and cutting firewood.

 Jonathan Griffin, M.D.
University of Washington School of Medicine

Jonathan was born in Ogden, Utah.  He attended Carol College and received a BA degree in Biology and Communication Studies.  Jonathan received a masters in health administration at the University of Washington, School of Medicine and is FMIG Treasurer.  He was a auto detail shop manager, herpetology/ecology researcher, and married.  His hobbies inlcude basketball, volleyball, hiking, guitars, singing, ballroom dancing, and gardening. 

 Emily Grimsrud, M.D.
University of Washington School of Medicine

  Jennifer Holliday, M.D., M.P.H.
Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) School of Medicine

Jennifer was born and raised on a cattle ranch in John Day, Oregon. She attended Stanford University and received a BA degree in Human Biology with a minor in German Studies. She graduated from a combined MD/MPH program at OHSU. Through out college and medical school, Jennifer has advocated for the health of rural communities. While an undergraduate, she organized an elective to teach medical students about the unique challenges of rural medicine. During medical school, she researched cancer screening among obese and non-obese individuals in rural Oregon primary care clinics for her Masters of Public Health thesis work. She recently served as the Student Director on the Oregon Academy of Family Physician Board of Directors. Her hobbies include flying (she is a private pilot), mountain biking with her husband, helping her family out on the ranch and being outside whenever possible.

  Derek Jackson, M.D.
University of Washington School of Medicine

Derek was born in Boise, Idaho.  He attended  Stanford University and received a BA degree in Latin American Studies.  He grew up on a dairy farm in Meridian, Idaho and did a study on passive transmission of oral polio vaccine between immunized children in Veracruz, Mexico.  Derek has tutored Latino children, co directed, produced and edited a documentary film on the Iraq war, one of the five national recipients of the Pisacano Scholars award, speaks Spanish, and has worked as the Terry Reilly Health Systems Migrant Outreach Coordinator.  His hobbies are fly fishing, farming, back-packing, and cheese making.

  Tema Jessup, D.O.
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Tema was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  She attended the University of Idaho and received a BS degree in Biology.  Tema was a Personal Care Assistant and Certified Nursing Assistant and Secretary of the  Undergraduate American Academy of Osteopathy.  Her hobbies are camping, fishing, hiking, biking, and playing the piano.

  Bridgette Latimer, M.D.
University of Utah School of Medicine

Bridgette was born in Moscow, Idaho.  She attended the University of Idaho and received a BS degree in Biology.  Bridgette was a first year co-class president, student body secretary, medical student tutor, and volleyball captain.  Her hobbies are sewing, gardening, cooking, and crochets.

  Michael Luedeman, M.D.
University of Nevada

Michael was born in Blackfoot, Idaho.  He attended Idaho State University and received a BA degree in Zoology.  Michael was a pharmacy intern, emergency room transporter, and ambulance driver/EMT basic for Yellowstone Park Medical Services.  He has mild fluency in Spanish.  His hobbies are fishing, hiking, camping, bicycling, and golf.

  Matthew Nelson, M.D.
St. Louis University School of Medicine

Matt is from Zig Zag, Oregon.  He received is BA in English Literature from Whitman College before attending Saint Louis University School of Medicine.  Before going to med school, he was a professional ski patroller, served in the Peace Corps in St. Lucia, West Indies, and was a brake and suspension mechanic at Les Schwab.  In medical school, he was president of SLU's Physicians for Human Rights chapter and his medical interests include Wilderness Medicine and Sports Medicine.  His hobbies include being a weekend mechanic and wood worker, kayaking, rock climbing, snow skiing and rugby football.

  Dustin Smith, M.D.
University of Washington School of Medicine

Dustin was born in Great Falls, Montana.  He attended Montana State University and received a BS degree in Biology.  Dustin sings opera as a Baritone, performed in the Montana State University Chorale, and was a fly fishing outfitter.  His hobbies are trail running, hiking, backpacking, downhill skiing, fly fishing, and singing.

Phyllis You, M.D.
University of South Florida College of Medicine

Phyllis's parents immigrated to the States from Taiwan.   She was born in Gainesville, Florida but grew up in a small town in the panhandle of Florida. Phyllis attended Vanderbilt University and received a BS degree in Chemistry.  Subsequently, Phyllis completed medical school at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.  During medical school, she was involved with a public health service mission in the Dominican Republic and was co-founder the USF chapter of Medical Students for Choice.  Phyllis is also a recipient of the Gold Humanism Award.  She is married and her husband is a small animal veterinarian from Florida.  Her hobbies are traveling, fishing, constructing ceramic structures, cycling, hiking, and cooking.