Internal Medicine Residency

Ryan B. Israelsen

Hometown: North Logan, Utah

College/Medical School: Utah State University, B.S. University of Utah, M.D.

Hobbies/Interests: Rock Climbing, cycling, hiking, camping, computers, phones, electronics, people, fun, friends, church, running

Travels/Languages: Lived in Baltimore, MD; Portland, OR; Tiachung, Taiwan

Career Plans: Learn how to be a great doctor, get through intern year. Thinking about specializing and thinking about not.

Reasons for Choosing UPMC: First and foremost: Dr. Alda Gonzaga; Dr. Van Deusen; Samantha Comarnitsky; Dr. Katy Freund Lupo; Dr. Ugo Nwankwo; Dr. Shanta Zimmer; Dr. Dena Hofkosh; and this list could go on and on!

I also did not want to stay in the institution where I was trained as a medical student, I felt like getting out would give me more experience and I could see more/different disease processes.

Also the sports are awesome! Steelers (who has the most Vince Lombardi trophies?), Pirates with an awesome stadium, and the Penguins (I'm not even a hockey fan... yet!).

The waterfront, cityscape, and people are great as well. My wife was excited to move to Pittsburgh as well, we heard a lot about how family friendly it is and have found it to be true!

I'll also mention that UPMC internal medicine and Pediatrics programs are awesome, you can read up about them yourself.

Elizabeth Rabold

Hometown: Mars, PA

College/Medical School: Lehigh University and UNC School of Medicine

Hobbies/Interests: I like to run, sing, find adventures outside, sing along to musicals (the cheesier the better), travel, and play silly games.

Travels/Languages: I have worked in Belize, India, and Malawi. I have also traveled throughout Europe. I am attempting to learn Spanish (and progressing VERY slowly).

Career Plans: My big picture plans include working in international health. I would love to serve in an academic hospital to help train local physicians. While in the States, I intend to stay in academic medicine and potentially practice in transitional care.

Reasons for Choosing UPMC: I chose UPMC not because my family lives here (though that is a perk!) but because I felt called to train here. The Med-Peds program here is fantastic, the hospitals are wonderful, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore your interests.

Colleen Pater

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

College/Medical School: University of Cincinnati for both!

Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, reading, running, spending time with family and friends, and exploring my new city.

Travels/Languages: Mostly just Europe - studied abroad in Newcastle, England and during that time and on other trips, I've had the opportunity to travel around England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Austria, and Germany. I definitely plan to go back and visit more. No current foreign language proficiency, though.

Career Plans:I'm not sure yet. Part of the reason I love Med-Peds is because of the opportunity to see a wide variety of patients and medical problems. However, the transition of care for patients with pediatric problems who develop superimposed adult medical problems is interesting to me and many specialties are perfectly suited for this patient population. Hopefully the next few years will help me figure it out!

Reasons for Choosing UPMC:In a sentence, strong categorical medicine and pediatric programs with a legitimate Med-Peds presence. And Pittsburgh seemed like an awesome city to live in!

Justin Yu

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

College/Medical School: Drew University/Temple University School of Medicine

Hobbies/Interests: Rugby, football, live music, and my dog (Bunk)

Travels/Languages: My family is from Melbourne, Australia.

Career Plans: Med-Peds primary care

Reasons for Choosing UPMC:

1. The dedication to providing an excellent resident education.
2. The residents are all awesome and great people to be around.
3. Pittsburgh rocks!