UChicago EM

Class of 2027

Carley Coopwood, MD

Carley Coopwood, MD

University of Arizona College of Medicine
she/her

Hey everyone! My name is Carley and I’m originally from Northern California, spent some time in San Diego for college and then went to the University of Arizona in Tucson for medical school. I am so excited to join the University of Chicago for my EM residency and to get to work with such a neat cohort of fellow physicians and patients from all walks of life. Away from medicine, I enjoy Game of Thrones, baking, traveling, and hanging out with my floof (dog) Coco! I’m stoked to be moving to the Windy City, learning how to brave the winter, and check out the awesome food scene in Chicago! Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Michael Ezeana, MD

Michael Ezeana, MD

Georgetown University School of Medicine
they/he

Hi hello! I’m Michael, one of the incoming interns and my excitement to become an EM doc precedes me. I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria but my roots come from Delta state. I came to the states for my higher education with a first stop at the University of Central Arkansas where I studied Biology and other minors in Gender Studies and Chemistry. My next stop was DC for medical school at Georgetown and now Chicagoooh!

My love of Emergency Medicine stems from my passion for advocacy and community care. I believe that there can be no health justice without social justice and I have found that the ED is the best place for me to use these tangibly by caring for any- and everyone at anytime. By working with patients who are often at the periphery of care (both social and medical), I hope to use my experience to advocate for patients on a larger scale with the ultimate goal of decolonization, which I believe is significant to erasing sources of health injustice.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy weightlifting, reading a good book, watching horror movies, and goofing around with my cat, Indigo. I am also a huge fan of music and I enjoy it by dancing, going to live shows and so on.

Anna Gragas, MD

Anna Gragas, MD

University of Hawai’i John A. Burns School of Medicine                                                  
she/her

Hi everyone! My name is Anna, and I was born and raised in Upcountry Maui. I went to college at Chapman University in Southern California, and initially planned to pursue Physical Therapy after graduation. During my gap years I moved home to Hawai’i and worked as a scribe in the Emergency Department which changed my whole trajectory! I loved the fast pace of the ED, camaraderie and teamwork, diversity of patients, and hands-on nature of the specialty. My mentors there supported me in my journey to pursue medicine, and I found that it was one of the best ways to integrate my interest in science and desire to care for my community into one.

Something during interview season that brought UChicago to the top of my list was touring the ED in-person and feeling how friendly and warm everyone was. I cannot wait to learn more about the community we serve at the University of Chicago and become a member of the UCMC team.

At home, I love to spend my time hiking, hanging out at the beach, going for a run, or catching up with my friends at happy hour, but I am so excited to be in Chicago to experience some new city life things (+ seasons)!

Braylee Grisel, MD

Braylee Grisel, MD

Duke University School of Medicine
she/her

Hi everyone, my name is Braylee! I grew up in a smallish-city in Southern Utah called St. George before moving to Fort Worth, Texas when I was sixteen. Growing up, my dream was to become a television animator and I have always loved integrating art with the sciences. I decided to pursue a career in medicine after witnessing several family members struggle with substance use disorder and incarceration. This experience also instilled in me a strong interest in medical ethics and harm reduction. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a major in biology and minors in art and neuroscience. After graduating college, I attended medical school at Duke University where I did research in gun violence, nutrition and medical ethics. I also got involved in the admissions and clinical ethics committees. In the summer of 2023, I participated in the Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics which further solidified my goals of improving research and adherence to ethics in medicine. I was drawn to emergency medicine because of my dedication to serving patients from all walks of life, along with the variety and fast-paced environment. The emergency department is often the first place that some patients ever encounter healthcare providers which makes it especially essential and rewarding to make connections with both patients and the surrounding community. I hope to continue to pursue my interests in ethics, social EM and trauma in residency. UChicago exemplifies all of the aspects I love about Emergency Medicine – I could feel how much every single resident and faculty member genuinely cares about the South Side community and the mission of the program. I was extremely impressed by the program’s commitment to community, diversity, wellness, social EM and fun! I also find Chicago to be an absolutely beautiful and wonderful city that I am so excited to check out. I am beyond hyped to join the UChicago family this summer! Outside of medicine I love writing (ask me about my vampire novel!), drawing, listening to history podcasts, moshing at punk concerts, checking out new breweries and anything to do with Halloween/horror movies.

 

Amera Hassan, MD

Amera Hassan, MD

University of Minnesota Medical School
she/her

Hello/Salaam! I’m Amera, Minnesota born and Egypt semi-raised — I guess you could call me a Middle-Eastern Midwesterner. I went to the University of Minnesota where I began my studies at the ripe age of 15, and after nearly a decade, eventually graduated through the BA/MD program.

I chose Emergency Medicine for more reasons than I can count. Amongst them: the privilege of practicing medicine on the front-lines, the ability to serve disadvantaged communities here and across the globe through medical care, innovation, and mentorship, and of course, the delightfully riotous workflow! As someone who started medical school in the same city and during the upheaval of George Floyd’s murder, and who ended medical school wishing I could be on the grounds in Gaza providing medical care to the thousands of wrongfully injured and murdered, I am continuously grateful to be in a field that values justice and equity.

Outside of medicine, I’ve always loved stories. Reading and writing are two of my greatest pleasures. Favorite book? The Count of Monte Cristo vs Pride and Prejudice. Luckily, I’ve been able to combine my love for medicine, literature, and philosophy through a podcast called The Doldrums (on Spotify, check it out).

 

Bradley Heinz, MD, MS

Bradley Heinz, MD, MS

UC Berkeley – UCSF Joint Medical Program
he/him

Hi everyone! I’m Bradley, born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, where my family has lived for more generations than I know. The SF Bay Area became a home base for the last 20 years after moving out to study Cultural Anthropology and Arabic as a first-generation college student at Stanford. I did some stints abroad (working to open a college in Yemen, researching Iraqi refugee issues on a Fulbright in Jordan, and cosplaying as a management consultant in Dubai) before returning to SF. I worked at health tech startups while taking every single premed course (humanities majors, unite!) nights and weekends, all why trying to talk myself out of making the career switch, but I couldn’t shake the dream of blending clinical medicine, policy, advocacy, and research. I had the opportunity to study at the JMP, a five year program with a Master’s degree baked in and a curricular focus on social, structural, and political determinants of health. I wrote my thesis exploring the contours of the placebo effect and the nature of human consciousness after getting part way done with a different project investigating physician unionization efforts as a potential lever towards achieving a universal, single-payer healthcare system in the US. I chose U Chicago for its focus on addressing social disparities, training excellent clinicians while maintaining wellness, flying in helicopters, and to be closer to my 7 nieces and nephews. Some things I love include travel (been to ~60 countries), yoga, biking, backpacking, photography, reading, downhill skiing, and my 300cc Vespa, though after 12 years and 25k+ miles, I have decided to retire him. I’m not ready to tempt fate as an ER doc on a motorcycle in Chicago weather.

Daelon Morais, MD

Daelon Morais, MD

Baylor College of Medicine
he/him

Hello everyone! I was born and raised in Texas where I attended The University of Texas at Austin for undergrad where I studied Biology. During my time there I worked as an EMT and scribe which reinforced my passion for emergency medicine. I then attended Baylor College of Medicine where I learned more about EM’s role in social medicine and health policy. After living in Texas my entire life, I am so excited to have the opportunity to explore out of state and join the U of Chicago EM family! I first visited Chicago for an art history field trip in high school and fell in love with the architecture and vibrancy of the city. I chose the University of Chicago for residency due to its commitment to the underserved, with community outreach and healthcare equity at the forefront of the program. Outside of medicine I enjoy cooking and exploring new restaurants, watching movies, playing/listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.

Julia Murray, MD

Julia Murray, MD

The Ohio State University College of Medicine
she/her

Hey everyone, I’m Julia! I grew up and spent most of my life in Columbus, Ohio, outside of my stint at the University of Oklahoma for undergrad. I then came back to my hometown to attend med school at Ohio State. I came into medical school interested in pediatrics, but fell in love with the emergency department after my first shadowing experience. I felt such a draw to the field as it felt like the truest form of medicine – being able to treat every patient without turning anyone away, seeing the breadth of pathology in medicine, and being trained to handle anything. I instantly felt drawn to UChicago by the way the evident mission to serve their patient population, train excellent physicians, and also prioritize the wellbeing of their residents. I’m so excited to make Chicago my home! Outside of medicine, I love to foster puppies with my wife, spend time with the four dogs we have of our own, going to half price night at Dave and Busters, and enjoying whatever hobby I’m feeling that day, from cooking and baking to embroidery and crochet.

Chad Nix, MD, MSc

Chad Nix, MD, MSc

Oregon Health & Science University
he/him

Hello, I’m Chad! I grew up in a small, rural Oregon city and attended the University of Oregon, majoring in biology and human physiology. I then pursued a MSc Control of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and subsequently worked for a few years as an infection prevention specialist/infection preventionist at two academic medical centers. I’ve continued to contribute to the healthcare-associated infection professional community through task force, committee, and editorial involvements. In addition, I co-lead the Queer Health Alliance, created an HIV PrEP clinical decision support tool, volunteered as an MMI rater and Admissions Committee member, and partook in a few research projects while in medical school at Oregon Health & Science University. I’m interested in critical care and resuscitation, quality improvement, healthcare-associated and emerging infections, and leveraging emergency department encounters for public health interventions. Otherwise, I love going to exercise classes (e.g. Barry’s, hot yoga), the occasional run, and spending time with my cat. Factors that influenced my decision to choose UChicago include the privilege of being able to care for and learn from a largely underserved population, trauma exposure, reputation including that of off services, commitment to diversity, alumni base, location, and exceptionally positive vibes on interview day (not exhaustive!). I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the program!

Brandon Okeke, MD

Brandon Okeke, MD

University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
he/him

Hey y’all, I’m Brandon! I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I’m a first generation student and the son of my wonderful parents who immigrated from Nigeria. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin for undergrad where I studied Biochemistry, and completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. My interest in medicine was fostered at an early age, however Emergency Medicine found its way into my heart in college while spending time volunteering in the ED! Throughout my time in undergrad and medical school, I developed a passion for social justice, education, and health equity through several organizations, including Student National Medical Association (SNMA). Given the countless opportunities to cultivate my passions, as well as having a wide array of clinical exposure and a real commitment to diversity, the University of Chicago was the clear choice for me to continue my training. Although my love for Texas runs deep, I’m super excited to move to Chicago and see myself grow in a new environment! I have several hobbies, including bike riding, reading, and cooking; however, basketball just might be my favorite thing in the world. I love to play, watch, and teach the game. It is a huge part of how I take care of myself physically and mentally, and it also serves as a social outlet for me to connect with people of all backgrounds.

Cat Phouybanhdyt, MD, MPH

Cat Phouybanhdyt, MD, MPH

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
she/her

Howdy, I’m Cat! I was born and raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in a lively, multigenerational household, and am a first generation Lao-American. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a Chancellor’s Scholar, where I studied Spanish, biology, and global health. Before attending medical school, I worked as an EMT and served in AmeriCorps at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers on the south side of Milwaukee. While in medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, I had the privilege of being part of the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TriUMPH) Program, which provided me the opportunities and frameworks to conduct community-based research and navigate approaches to advocacy work in medicine. I stepped out to pursue my MPH and deepen my work within refugee communities in Milwaukee at the intersection of the role physicians play in the naturalization process while also coordinating a civic engagement fellowship program for and by women of color in Milwaukee County.

I felt like UChicago was a natural fit for me as a robust academic program with a deeply rooted commitment to serve their community, a prioritization of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and boundless opportunities in career development. I’m stoked to be joining the UChicago team while developing my own interests in medical education, global health, and administration. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy biking, food-related activities (hosting dinner parties, trying new restaurants, working through cookbooks), outdoor activities (hiking, skiing, and camping, etc.), and consuming the arts (concerts, stand-up, musicals/plays).

Tanner Reed, MD

Tanner Reed, MD

LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans
he/him

Hey everyone! I’m Tanner, and I grew my roots on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. I lived near New Orleans but was raised in a fused Italian New Yorker-Turkish household. From learning high school classes in a warehouse, I went on to study biochemistry and psychology at LSU in Baton Rouge. I then returned to New Orleans for medical school at the LSU School of Medicine. I am deeply inspired by underserved minority populations and have worked with them for over 8 years. I spent much time in Baton Rouge providing support for at-risk youth as Philanthropy Chair of an emergency shelter. This motivated me to create the Push LGBTQ+ Initiative in New Orleans to provide mentorship and resources for the city’s underserved LGBTQ+ population. Much of my time was further dedicated to carving the future of medicine with research. During medical school, I created and collaborated on various projects in neurotoxicology, trauma, and addiction. As for hobbies, I feel connected to the outdoors and love going on forest and beach runs. I have an origami kayak that I use for ocean kayaking (and now Great Lakes kayaking!!). I always have music playing and collect vinyl records. For the future, advancing underserved minority communities on a larger scale will be a focus of mine in the upcoming years. I had never been to Chicago before coming to this program. With the transcendent track record of alumni, distinguished leadership, and platform for opportunities in Chicago, I knew this was right. I actively look forward to the future and hope to write with noteworthy updates in the following years.

Emily Terian, MD

Emily Terian, MD

Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
she/her

Hi everyone! I’m Emily. I’m a first-generation Armenian-American who was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago (Plainfield, to be exact). I went to UChicago for undergrad, moved to St. Louis for medical school at WashU, and am super excited to be back in Chicago for residency! I initially became interested in Emergency Medicine as a part of UChicago’s volunteer EMS unit, and this interest grew throughout medical school. Within EM, I am interested in ultrasound and global health (along with the intersection of the two, such as ultrasound in under-resourced settings) as well as education! I was drawn to UChicago’s program specifically because of opportunities within these subspecialties during training, the patient population that UChicago serves, and of course all the amazing interactions I had with the current residents! From the pre-interview social through the second look, UChicago felt like the place for me. Outside of medicine, I like to read, go on (slow) runs outside, play music, try new restaurants and breweries(/cideries!), and travel.

Michael Tsai, MD

Michael Tsai, MD

Duke University School of Medicine
he/him

Hi everyone! I’m Michael and I’m so excited to join the UChicago EM family! I was born and raised in Norcross, Georgia, right outside of Atlanta. Most of my family lives in the Chicago suburbs and the city has always had a special place in my heart. I attended Emory University for college and moved afterwards to North Carolina to attend medical school at Duke University, where I came to set my eyes on EM during my clinical rotations. I quickly learned that EM is a safety net for virtually every corner of the community – you have some people critically ill and others who may be less acutely sick, but need basic healthcare access or social support, and really everything in between. EM physicians are responsible for coordinating care for every single one of those people coming into the ED! For me, that responsibility and privilege is intimidating, but also incredibly empowering and truly captures everything I love about medicine. On that note, I am beyond excited to be a part of such a program that aims to push the boundaries of what EM providers can do for their patients outside the walls of the ED. In my personal life, I value spending time with my fiancée, family, and two dogs. I also enjoy camping, playing video games, and watching and playing sports, especially basketball and MMA. I’m a huge foodie, so you’ll also probably find me cooking and trying new restaurants in my free time!

Jada Watts, MD

Jada Watts, MD

Howard University College of Medicine
she/her

Hey yall! My name is Jada. I am originally from a small rural town called Beckley, West Virginia. Growing up, my early volunteer experiences at my local community hospital sparked my dream to become a doctor. My journey then led me to Howard University for my undergraduate studies and medical school, and for the past eight years, I have been honored to call D.C. my home. While I never envisioned myself as an Emergency Physician starting in medical school, reflecting on my path now, it is clear that it was the perfect fit for me. Throughout my medical school journey, I have been deeply involved in community initiatives striving to bridge gaps in health literacy and empower individuals to manage their well-being effectively. I am also very passionate about injury prevention and rehabilitation, especially concerning the support and care provided to individuals and their families in the aftermath of traumatic events. I selected UChicago for its unwavering commitment to serving the Southside community, both within and beyond the hospital. Their dedication to fostering diversity among residents is unparalleled, and I am eager to collaborate with such a dynamic cohort. Beyond medicine, some of my hobbies include shopping for things I don’t need, vacationing, hiking, and enjoying new restaurants! I am looking forward to experiencing the vibrant city of Chicago.

Jaclyn Wecht, MD

Jaclyn Wecht, MD

New York Medical College
she/her

Hi, I’m Jaclyn! I’m a New Yorker through and through–I was born just outside New York City, went to undergrad at Binghamton University in upstate New York, and lived in Manhattan while attending New York Medical College. It’ll be a tall feat to convince me that there’s a better city in the world, but I’m excited to give Chicago a shot! I’m one of four children, so growing up I moved around in a pack. I learned quickly that being a team player is the only real way to make it through. This mentality stuck with me and continues to shape the way I view community. Which brings me to my overwhelming, indisputable, all-encompassing excitement to be joining my colleagues at UChicago. I’m honored to serve such a widely diverse population and play my role in bolstering this community because after all, we’re all on the same team.

My particular interests are climate and disaster medicine. I’ve always felt a particular draw to the environment and have seen how societal disparities have major impacts on an individual’s ability to handle climate change. At UChicago, I see myself gaining insight into the realities of environmental stressors on overall health and attempting to implement necessary support systems.

Outside of medicine, I spend most of my time on the move–I run, bike, swim, rollerblade, ski, dance. I can’t resist an excuse to get outdoors. One of my favorite ways to spend a day is trekking up a mountain with my family and friends. I also have a huge appreciation for the arts (I even minored in theater in college!) and frequently find myself seeing shows and exhibits. I’m looking forward to exploring everything Chicago has to offer, inside and out!

Madeline Wegener, MD

Madeline Wegener, MD

Tulane University School of Medicine
she/her

Hey y’all, I’m Madeline! I was born and raised in Oak Park, just outside the city limits and am so excited to come back home for residency (although I think my mom is even more excited)! I went to UW-Madison for undergrad and then moved to Milwaukee for three years after to work as an EMT and ED tech. It was there that I first fell in love with EM. I saw it as the most direct way to connect with and serve my community and bridge the healthcare gaps that I’ve seen in every city I’ve worked in. I then moved to New Orleans for med school where I further developed my interest in SEM, global health, and EMS. I chose the University of Chicago for its dedication to serving the Southside community, commitment to diversity, and the close-knit resident family I experienced during my second look! When I’m not working, I love to hang out with/train my crazy dog Nova, lift weights, explore new restaurants, nap, paint (by numbers), and have game/trivia nights with friends

Natalie Zink, MD

Natalie Zink, MD

Medical College of Georgia
she/her

Hey y’all! I’m Natalie, and I am so excited to be a part of the UChicago EM community! I grew up in a suburb of Atlanta before attending the University of Michigan for undergrad (GO BLUE!). After college, I worked as a paramedic for about 4 years at Huron Valley Ambulance and in the greater Ann Arbor area and at Grady EMS in Atlanta. My experience on the road bolstered my passion for serving underserved communities and meeting patients where they are. EM is the intersection of society and our overly-complex healthcare system, and emergency physicians are poised to help patients navigate the system and empower them to play an active role in their wellbeing. I am particularly interested in serving patients with addiction and created a curriculum for naloxone administration and harm reduction for the Medical College of Georgia while I was a student. University of Chicago has a robust infrastructure to support our patients, and I was drawn to the mission-driven faculty and residents. I also felt like I would not have to sacrifice my own health in order to care for others because the program clearly prioritizes residents. I am eager to get involved with EMS and further explore my interest in critical care. On a personal note, I am very excited to move to Chicago to be with my husband who is a pathology resident at Northwestern (2 years apart was enough!), and my rescue Great Pyrenees mix Parker is happy to leave Southern summers behind. I love baseball and have a bucket list to see every MLB stadium with my dad (we’re halfway there). I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and for the opportunity to be molded into my best self by such incredible physicians.